US military to withdraw some personnel from Middle East amid Iranian threats

Tehran threatens to strike US bases in Middle East if Washington carries out pledge to intervene in Iran

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The US military will withdraw some of its personnel from its bases in the Middle East, according to a US official, after Iranian threats of striking US bases if Washington intervenes in Iran.

A US official told Reuters and the Associated Press on Wednesday that the withdrawal was a precaution, while diplomats said that some forces had already been advised to leave al-Udeid base in Qatar. Iran struck al-Udeid in June after the US hit nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran, though the strike was telegraphed and largely symbolic.

Iranian officials have warned the US not to intervene in nationwide protests as Donald Trump reviews options for a strike on the country. The US president had previously promised to “rescue protesters” if Iranian authorities carried on killing them.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

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