US withdraws troops from Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar
Iran warns US, tensions rise over protesters’ deaths
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US administration on Wednesday is reportedly withdrawing some personnel from its Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar as a “precautionary measure” after Iran’s warning that US bases in the Middle East will be targeted if it is attacked by Washington over the deaths of anti-government protesters.
The development came hours after Iran told regional countries from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Turkiye that US bases in their territories will be attacked if it is targeted by the US.
“Tehran has told regional countries from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Turkiye that US bases in those countries will be attacked if the US targets Iran…asking these countries to prevent Washington from attacking Iran,” an unnamed senior Iranian official was quoted as saying by the news media reports.
International Media Office in a statement said that Qatar confirmed the development and said that the step was being “undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”
Qatar said that it will “implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities.”
Iran had launched a missile attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base in June last year in retaliation for US strikes against its nuclear sites.
The developments follow US President Donald Trump’s threat that Washington would take “very strong action” against Iran if the authorities execute anti-government protesters.
According to rights groups, more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in the recent violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump is considering a military operation against Iran.
Trump had urged Iranians to hang in there and continue to protest. He asked them to take over Iranian institutions, assuring them that the “help is on its way.”
He also vowed to punish those who killed anti-government protesters.
