US quietly moving diplomats from Middle East amid Iran escalation fears: CNN

The United States is discreetly relocating some diplomats and their family members from multiple Middle East posts amid rising fears of regional escalation involving Iran and its proxies, according to a report by CNN citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The State Department this week ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel and all family members from Saudi Arabia, citing intensified attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Officials said the ordered departure responded to Houthi strikes on civilian targets, including airports and critical infrastructure that have caused casualties and major travel disruptions.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that “Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions,” adding that the safety and security of personnel and their families remain the department’s highest priority.

At the same time, sources told CNN the department has been quietly adjusting staffing at other embassies, including those in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon.

Unlike the formal ordered departure for Saudi Arabia, these other posts remain under “restricted operations” status and have not been publicly announced as changing status, though family members who only recently returned are again being directed to leave.

Many of those affected describe the moves as a frustrating and chaotic repeat of earlier evacuations during the height of the US-‘Israeli’ conflict with Iran that began in late February.

“To say it has been chaotic is an understatement,” one US diplomat told CNN, noting that financial support offered so far does not fully cover the costs of moving entire families, who previously had to scramble for housing and schools.

Nikki Gamer, spokesperson for the American Foreign Service Association, told CNN: “This echoes the chaos families experienced earlier this year. Some had barely settled back in before being told to leave again. They are understandably upset, confused, and angry.”

The association said families outside Saudi Arabia report being directed to leave without confirmed housing assistance or per diem allowances because their embassies are not formally changing status.

“Families deserve to know how they will pay for a place to live before they board a plane,” Gamer said.

The adjustments come as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have escalated and as President Donald Trump has suggested he could relaunch strikes against Iran after the midterms.

Sources indicated ‘Israel’ has lobbied—so far unsuccessfully—for more immediate action.

Communication from Washington has drawn criticism, with one source familiar with the departures describing coordination as “just as much of a sh** show” as early in the Iran conflict, and many personnel learning of the moves through news reports rather than official channels.