US troops evacuate bases across Middle East due to ongoing threats as Trump mulls major strike on Iran

The US military has been quietly evacuating its troops in the Middle East and the State Department is reducing its staff at diplomatic posts across the region amid ongoing threats and as President Donald Trump considers launching a major strike on Iran.

Troops stationed at bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait have been ordered to move in recent days, a US official and two people familiar with the orders told NBC News. 

Meanwhile, the chiefs of mission at multiple diplomatic posts in the Middle East were notified on Wednesday that their posts would begin operating with a reduced staff, two US officials told the outlet.

The State Department has since announced on social media that the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia is under 'ordered departure,' meaning that the embassy will operate only with its emergency staff.

The drastic withdrawal from the region is said to be in response to ongoing threats, including from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

'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,' State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott posted on X Wednesday, announcing the 'ordered departure.'

'The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect them.'

In a statement to NBC News, US Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins downplayed the troop movements. 

'We regularly move US service members and assets to optimize mission readiness,' he said, adding: 'We do not discuss related movements for operational security reasons.'

Still, he insisted, 'US forces remain vigilant and ready to protect American personnel and interests across the region.'

But those familiar with the discussions told NBC News that the decision to move American forces out of harm's way is part of the military's planning as Trump considers restarting major combat operations in Iran – potentially even before next month's midterm elections. 

The thinking within the administration is that if the US could push Iran to the brink economically, new military strikes now could push it to negotiate an end to the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the US officials said.

The US naval blockade has already cost Iran $25 billion in crude oil exports, Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, announced in a video shared to social media on Friday.

'The Islamic regime is clearly feeling the economic pain,' he insisted.

Any new operation in Iran may now be shorter term, like the one the US launched in June 2025 dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, the officials said.

Among the options the federal government is said to be considering is deploying the 21,600-pound 'mother of all bombs' against Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure.

Plans developed by the Pentagon, which were revealed by CNN following conversations with multiple US officials, could be implemented before or after November's midterm elections if Trump authorizes renewed combat operations.

The enormous weapon, officially known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, is capable of devastating an area equivalent to nine city blocks.

But military insiders have warned that the spectacular explosion might do little to achieve Trump's ultimate objective of forcing Tehran into submission.

Another source revealed that the enormous bomb features explicitly in plans to attack Iran's suspected nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex.

US and Israeli officials believe Tehran has stored components of its nuclear program at the site, which Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack.

Yet military experts have serious doubts about the MOAB's ability to penetrate the thick layers of granite believed to protect the underground facility.

Unlike specialized bunker-busting weapons, the MOAB is primarily designed to unleash a devastating blast across a vast area rather than drill deep beneath the earth.

'The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,' a source familiar with Pentagon planning told CNN.

'It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.'

The weapon could inflict catastrophic damage above ground while leaving deeply buried nuclear installations largely intact.

Its enormous blast radius would also raise serious concerns about civilian casualties, particularly if Iranian energy facilities near populated areas were targeted.

Nevertheless, some officials believe the psychological impact of dropping such a terrifying weapon could demonstrate overwhelming American military strength without restarting a full-scale bombing campaign.

'POTUS has unfortunately put himself in a situation where he is almost compelled to do something and, without the ammunition designed to penetrate that level … you have to look at psychological effects for which the MOAB is well-equipped,' the source added.

The dilemma comes as Trump confronts growing frustration over a war that has dragged on for more than six months without a negotiated settlement.

Republicans are increasingly anxious that the conflict could damage their electoral prospects in the approaching midterms, while the president remains reluctant to withdraw without securing a clear victory.

Although some administration officials have suggested the United States has effectively won, Trump has stopped short of declaring the conflict over.

He has also reportedly resisted suggestions from outside allies that he should simply bring American forces home, arguing that such a withdrawal would be perceived as defeat.

Instead, the president vowed on his Truth Social platform on October 8 that 'we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections, to be held in the United States on November 3.'

He added that while Iran is in 'very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily,' the US has been having 'productive discussions' with Iranian officials.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House, Pentagon, State Department and US Central Command for comment.