Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after the United States quietly withdrew personnel from its key military installations in the region, while Iran temporarily closed its airspace, disrupting international flights.
The US pulled personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest American military facility in the Middle East, housing nearly 10,000 troops. The move was described by Qatari authorities as a precaution in response to mounting regional tensions. The US Embassy in Kuwait also ordered a temporary halt to staff movements to local military bases.
These steps came as Iran issued strong warnings to neighbouring countries hosting US forces, threatening retaliation if Washington launches an attack on Iranian territory. The warnings follow weeks of unrest in Iran, where mass protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have led to thousands of deaths, according to rights groups.
Adding to the uncertainty, Iran briefly shut its airspace under a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), allowing only a limited number of approved international flights. Flight-tracking data showed skies over Iran and Iraq rapidly clearing, a move often associated with heightened military alert.
Western officials, quoted by Reuters, said the developments could signal that a US attack may be imminent, though they cautioned that unpredictability is a known tactic of President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump himself struck a cautious tone, saying Washington was monitoring the situation and had received indications that large-scale executions in Iran were not currently planned.
According to US media reports, Trump has instructed advisers that any military action must be swift and decisive, avoiding a prolonged conflict. However, concerns remain within his administration about the risk of strong Iranian retaliation and the lack of sufficient US assets in the region.
As protests continue and casualties rise in Iran, the coming hours are seen as critical, with the international community closely watching whether diplomacy prevails or the crisis escalates into open conflict.
