The U.S
By Bernard Moerdler,
The U.S. State Department is preparing to return diplomats to embassies across the Middle East that were partially evacuated before and during the war with Iran, The New York Times reported, citing an internal department document and three U.S. officials. The return of Foreign Service officers and the scaling back of emergency measures could begin as early as this week.
The document says the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon will be among the first to receive returning personnel, although it will initially remain below full staffing. Missions in Israel, Jordan and Oman are ultimately expected to return to full staffing, while posts in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon would initially operate at 85 percent. Missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain would be limited to 75 percent, and restrictions on family members would remain in place at several posts. The State Department told the Times that it was adjusting staffing at certain missions based on its latest security assessment. Current and former officials cited by the newspaper viewed the move as a sign that Washington does not presently expect a return to all-out hostilities with Iran, although the continuing restrictions indicate that it still considers the regional threat elevated.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Diplomacy
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.