Hundreds of American troops are evacuating the US’ largest base in the Middle East, amid fears Iran will retaliate against an American attack.
Sources told NBC that the evacuation of American forces from the al Udeid Air Base is to put them out of harm’s way, amid an escalating war of words between the US and Iran.
Donald Trump has vowed to take ‘strong action’ against Iran if the regime hangs protesters, while Iran has said it will fight off enemy attacks ‘until the last drop of blood’
The al Udeid Air Base is the US’ largest in the region, ordinarily home to around 10,000 troops.
In June, troops were removed from the base amid the so-called 12-Day War, which saw American and Israeli forces attack targets across Iran.
Iran’s defence minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, said amid an escalating war of words that his nation was prepared to defend itself fully if it is attacked.
He told local media: ‘If these threats are turned into action, we will defend the country with full force and until the last drop of blood, and our defence would be painful to them’.
Nasirzadeh added that any nation that provides assistance for any strikes on Iran will become ‘legitimate targets’.
Earlier, the nation threatened to strike American military bases if Trump orders any attack on Tehran.
US sites in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey could be targeted as part of retaliatory measures against Washington which were raised by a senior Iranian official.
The official told Reuters: ‘Tehran has told regional countries, from Saudi Arabia and UAE to Turkey, that US bases in those countries will be attacked if US targets Iran… asking these countries to prevent Washington from attacking Iran’.
Trump has warned the US ‘will take very strong action’ if the Iranian regime hangs pro-democracy protesters with a young shopkeeper set to be executed.
Erfan Soltani, 26, is feared likely to become the first person executed over the demonstrations, with reports saying he would be hanged on Wednesday morning local time.
Follow the latest updates on the Iranian protests below
Breaking:‘Hundreds of troops begin evacuating from key US military base in Qatar’
NBC reported that hundreds of troops are being moved from Qatar’s al Udeid Air Base to others in the Middle East.
Sources told the broadcaster that this is to put them out of harm’s way, in case Iran decides to retaliate against an American attack.
The base is the US’ largest in the region, ordinarily home to around 10,000 troops.
In June, troops were removed from the base amid the so-called 12-Day War.
US embassy in Saudi Arabia urges staff to be extra cautious
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia told its personnel on Wednesday to act with caution and avoid military installations after Washington threatened to respond to a government crackdown on protests in Iran.
‘Given ongoing regional tensions, the US mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region’, the embassy said in a statement on its website.
‘We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom do the same’.
Iran among 75 nations to have visa processing suspended by US
The Trump administration is suspending all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries starting January 21, with Iran being among them.
Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand are also among the affected countries, according to the report.
Representatives for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported memo, which Fox News said directs US embassies to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures. No time frame was provided.
The reported pause comes amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Trump since taking office last January.
In November, Trump had vowed to ‘permanently pause’ migration from all ‘Third World Countries’ following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
READ MORE: Inside Iran’s execution machine: How regime puts prisoners to death on an ‘industrial level’ with public hangings from cranes – as clerics step up ruthless crackdown on protesters
Iran foreign minister says Israel always ‘dragging’ US in to fight its wars
Iran’s foreign minister Araghchi says Israel has always tried to ‘drag [the] US into fighting wars on its behalf’.
‘Now that our streets have been bloodied, Israel openly and proudly says that it armed the protesters with weapons of war, and this is the reason for the hundreds of deaths, Araghchi posted on Telegram.
‘President Trump should now know where to turn to stop the bloodshed.’
Top Ayatollah adviser warns US that Iran will respond to attack
Germany seeking to increase trade pressure on Iran
The German government is taking a close look at its trade with Iran, keeping an eye on how Berlin could increase pressure on Tehran.
Germany traded about £1.3billion with Iran in 2024, with this number likely falling in 2025 amid increased EU and US sanctions.
France considering sending internet-capable satellite terminals to Iran amid blackout
France’s foreign minister has today said he is considering sending Eutelsat satellite terminals to Iran to circumvent the internet blockade.
In 2022, Eutelsat accused Iran of jamming two of its satellites amid the Mahsa Amini protests.
Russia says it will carry on trading with Iran despite US threats
Russia will continue trading with Iran despite America’s threats, its foreign minister today said.
Asked about Trump’s pressure on Iran’s trading partners, Sergey Lavrov said Russia will push bilateral agreements despite the threats.
He called the US out for breaking up international norms regarding foreign intervention and trade: ‘Our American colleagues look unreliable when they act in this way’.
WATCH: Cousin of Iranian man who faces execution pleads to Trump
Iran defence chief promised to repel attacks ‘until the last drop of blood’
Iran’s defence minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, said amid an escalating war of words that his nation was prepared to defend itself fully if it is attacked.
He told local media: ‘If these threats are turned into action, we will defend the country with full force and until the last drop of blood, and our defence would be painful to them’.
Nasirzadeh added that any nation that provides assistance for any strikes on Iran will become ‘legitimate targets’.
UK working on additional sanctions against Iran
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer said he was working with allies to place more sanctions on Iran.
He said: ‘Can I start by condemning in the strongest possible terms the sickening repression and murder of protesters in Iran.
‘The contrast between the courage of the Iranian people and the brutality of their desperate regime has never been clearer.
‘We’ve called out this brutality face to face, we’re working with allies on further sanctions and doing all we can to protect UK nationals’.
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US troops begin evacuating Qatar military base over fears Trump could take action against Iran, prompting Tehran retaliation: Live updates
