Fears grow of looming US military action against Iran

WEB DESK: Signs of an escalating crisis emerged across the Middle East on Wednesday as the United States began reducing its personnel presence at key regional military installations, while Iran warned it would respond forcefully if Washington launched an attack.

The heightened tensions follow weeks of unrest inside Iran, where violent protests erupted after a sharp collapse in the national currency. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted at possible intervention, saying earlier this week that Washington would support demonstrators and promising “decisive action” should executions of protesters continue.

However, speaking at a late-night press briefing on Wednesday, Trump said he had received information suggesting the pace of killings linked to the crackdown had slowed, adding that he was not aware of any immediate plans for mass executions.

At the same time, the New York Times reported that US defence officials were weighing a wider set of military options than previously acknowledged, including potential strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile facilities.

European officials also voiced concern that military action could be close at hand. A Western military source said recent developments pointed towards an impending US strike, while noting that unpredictability was often a hallmark of the current administration’s strategy.

Iran, meanwhile, has begun alerting neighbouring states of the risks. A senior Iranian official said countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey had been told that US military installations on their soil would be considered legitimate targets if Iran came under attack.

The official added that direct communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had been halted.

As tensions mounted, Britain reportedly started withdrawing some of its personnel from an air base in Qatar, although London’s defence ministry declined to comment publicly.

A US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that American forces were being repositioned as a precautionary step due to the deteriorating security environment. Qatar separately acknowledged that a reduction in personnel was under way at Al Udeid air base, the largest US military facility in the region, citing regional instability.

Saudi Arabia has sought to distance itself from the unfolding crisis. Sources familiar with the matter said Riyadh had conveyed assurances to Tehran that its territory would not be made available for any military operations against Iran.

Amid the rising tensions, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its staff and citizens to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel to military sites across the region.