The US military has been quietly evacuating its troops from bases in the Middle East amid ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
What happened
Troops stationed at bases in Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait have been ordered to move in recent days. The State Department has also announced that the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia is under 'ordered departure,' meaning it will operate with only emergency staff.
The withdrawal is in response to ongoing threats, including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The US naval blockade has already cost Iran $25 billion in crude oil exports.
President Donald Trump is considering launching a major strike on Iran, potentially before next month's midterm elections. The US is weighing options, including deploying the 21,600-pound 'mother of all bombs' against Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure.
Military experts have doubts about the bomb's ability to penetrate underground facilities, and its use could raise concerns about civilian casualties. Despite this, some officials believe the psychological impact of dropping such a weapon could demonstrate American military strength without restarting a full-scale bombing campaign.
