US Evacuates Diplomats Amid Iran Tensions, Israel Pushes for Strike

The United States is reportedly evacuating diplomats and their families from the Middle East due to fears of regional escalation and potential conflict with Iran. CNN reported that while Saudi Arabia officially ordered non-essential personnel and families to leave, the U.S. administration is also discreetly reducing staff at other regional embassies. Simultaneously, sources told CNN that Israel is pressuring Washington to accelerate strikes against Iran, though these efforts have not yet succeeded. Axios reported that intelligence indicating Iran's heightened efforts to plan attacks on U.S. diplomats and officials, both domestically and abroad, is a key factor behind the decision to reduce the U.S. diplomatic presence. A U.S. intelligence memo from October 23, obtained by Axios, suggested that Iranian assassination plots against U.S. representatives have reached "advanced stages." U.S. officials cited this information as a reason for the State Department's decision to reduce staff at several embassies in the region. The New York Times reported that a warning about Iranian assassination plots against high-ranking U.S. officials was conveyed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton advised sharing this information more broadly, though it did not specify potential targets, locations, or methods.

The State Department ordered families and non-essential staff to leave the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Reductions in diplomatic and government personnel were also ordered for U.S. embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. An American official told Axios that the decision was made "due to the threat of attacks by the Houthis and Iranian terrorist plots." CNN reported similar personnel changes at U.S. embassies in Bahrain and Kuwait, with Washington concerned that Iran-backed Houthis might expand their attacks beyond Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump, speaking on October 23, alluded to potential military action, stating, "Maybe we'll do another small operation 'Epic Fury,' or maybe the Iranians will agree to a deal." NBC reported that the U.S. has also discreetly reduced its military presence at several Middle East bases due to concerns about renewed conflict with Iran and potential retaliatory strikes.

CNN reported that Israel is pushing the Trump administration for an earlier start to strikes against Iran, but these efforts have been unsuccessful. Jerusalem fears Iran's further military buildup and potential resumption of nuclear activities. The New York Times reported that U.S. and Israeli militaries have developed detailed plans for renewed strikes against Iran post-U.S. midterm elections, potentially targeting nuclear and energy facilities, missile systems, and drone infrastructure. One assessment suggests a three-day intensive attack could inflict significant economic damage and pressure Tehran to return to negotiations, though a final U.S. decision has not been made. President Trump made conflicting statements, suggesting significant changes in Iran relations were imminent, while U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggested a strike was possible over the weekend, though diplomatic contacts continue. U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz stated Washington is preparing for prolonged confrontation but still hopes for a diplomatic resolution.

Reports of Israeli pressure on Washington regarding the timing of a potential operation against Iran follow recent publications about disagreements between the two countries. Financial Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to launch an attack on October 10, but Trump opposed action before the U.S. midterm elections. Netanyahu and IDF officials have denied these reports, stating no specific attack plan was halted by Trump and that heightened readiness was in response to U.S. actions. An Axios report detailed an Israeli fighter jet flight near the Iranian border on October 21, described as a deterrence measure, though U.S. officials worried it could provoke miscalculation. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly preparing for a potential U.S.-Israeli attack, with Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reporting Tehran is revising its target list to include data centers and undersea fiber optic cables, signaling a broader potential response beyond the Persian Gulf.