• U.S. personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar advised to leave by Wednesday.
• This move comes amid rising tensions and warnings from Iran.
• U.S. describes the action as a precaution, not an evacuation.
• Iran has threatened to target U.S. bases in response to potential strikes.
• Al Udeid is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, housing around 10,000 troops.

Some personnel at the U.S. military's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar have been advised to depart by Wednesday evening, according to multiple diplomats. This advisory occurs amidst warnings from the U.S. regarding possible intervention in Iran due to ongoing protests there, as reported by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The decision, characterized as a "posture change" rather than an evacuation, reflects escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as the latter has issued warnings that any American attacks would provoke retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases throughout the region. Diplomatic sources have noted that while this action is precautionary, it highlights an increase in regional instability, reports India Times and Reuters.

Al Udeid, which hosts approximately 10,000 troops, serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command, coordinating military operations from a vast region. The heightened tensions arise following Iran's statements that neighboring countries with U.S. troops could be compromised in the event of an American strike, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.