KEY POINTS
- US advised some personnel to partially evacuate Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
- Qatar said the departure of personnel from base was linked to precautionary measures.
- Al Udeid is the largest US base in the Middle East and hosts about 10,000 American troops.
- The move comes after President Donald Trump warned of US intervention in Iran.
- Iran warned it would strike US bases in the region if attacked by Washington.
- Direct communication between Iran and the US has been suspended.
- Protests driven by economic hardship continue across Iran.
- US urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing security risks.
- Indian Embassy in Tehran asked its nationals to leave Iran.
DOHA, Qatar: Some personnel at the United States military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar have been advised to leave part of the facility by Wednesday evening, as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated after warnings by US President Donald Trump of intervention in Iran amid nationwide protests.
Three diplomats, cited by Reuters, said that the move was a “posture change” and not an ordered evacuation.
“It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation,” one of the diplomats told Reuters. The diplomat said he was not aware that a specific reason had been given for the posture change.
The US embassy in Doha had no immediate comment and Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation or comment, Reuters reported.
Later, Qatar’s International Media Office, in a statement, said reports about the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base were linked to precautionary measures being taken in response to current regional tensions.
It said Qatar continues to implement all necessary steps to ensure the security and safety of its citizens and residents, including the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities.
The office added that any further developments would be communicated through official channels.
Statement from the International Media Office of the State of Qatar regarding media reports circulating about the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base.https://t.co/bEFk457xVF pic.twitter.com/oeVHXFNkpO
— Qatar's International Media Office (@IMO_Qatar) January 14, 2026
Al Udeid, located outside Doha, is the largest US military base in the Middle East and hosts around 10,000 American troops. The base plays a central role in US air operations across the region.
Meanwhile, protests continue in several Iranian cities, driven largely by economic grievances amid inflation, a weakening currency and rising costs of basic goods.
Independent verification of developments on the ground remains difficult due to internet restrictions and limited access for journalists.
There is no independently confirmed information regarding casualties, and official figures have not been verified by neutral observers.
US warnings to Iran
The advisory follows warnings by US President Donald Trump that Washington could intervene in Iran, where nationwide protests have erupted over inflation, rising prices and economic hardship.
Iran had warned that it would strike US military bases in the region if the United States launched an attack on Iran.
A senior Iranian official, cited by Reuters, said US threats were undermining diplomatic efforts and had led to the cancellation of potential meetings aimed at resolving the nuclear dispute.
Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with military force and warned against retaliation. He has said any response by Tehran would be met at levels “never seen before”.
Direct communication suspended
Direct communications between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended, according to Iranian officials.
Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump openly backed Iranian protesters. He urged them to continue demonstrations and called on them to “take over institutions”.
He warned Iranian officials they would “pay a big price” and wrote: “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” without specifying what form that help would take.
Iran swiftly rejected Trump’s statements. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, posted on X that the “main killers of the people of Iran” were Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that a diplomatic channel remained open and that Iran had adopted a “far different tone” in private discussions with Witkoff.
US media reported that Trump was due to meet senior national security officials to discuss options on Iran.
Trump also announced that countries doing business with Iran would face a 25 percent US tariff.
Iran ready for war and talks
Araghchi said on Monday that Iran was “not seeking war but is fully prepared for war”.
Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, he added that Iran was ready for negotiations if they were fair and based on mutual respect.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said indirect communication with the United States continued when necessary, through intermediaries. The Swiss embassy represents US interests in Iran.
Protests and security crackdown
Protests, initially triggered by rising prices and economic frustration, have spread to major cities including Tehran and Mashhad.
Iran’s authorities have accused the United States and Israel of fuelling the unrest.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the demonstrations were orchestrated by external enemies and urged families to keep children away from protests.
On Saturday, Larijani warned of a firm response to what he described as organised, armed and foreign-linked violence.
He said security forces had identified ringleaders, some of whom had been arrested, and claimed firearms had been seized, pointing to prior planning.
He said peaceful demands were legitimate but rejected what he called armed sabotage, including arson and attacks on public and security facilities.
US urges citizens to leave Iran
The United States has urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing escalating protests, internet disruptions and security uncertainty.
The State Department advised Americans to depart “now” and, if necessary, to leave by land through Armenia or Turkiye.
The advisory warned that internet outages, flight cancellations and transport disruptions could complicate travel.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran also asked its nationals to leave Iran by all available means of transport.
Breaking: Indian Embassy in Tehran asks its national to leave Iran pic.twitter.com/KCEOHoGK2a
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 14, 2026
Meanwhile, China called for restraint and opposed foreign “interference” in Iran’s domestic affairs.
Turkiye warned that any foreign intervention would deepen instability and urged dialogue.
