The U.S. military has repositioned certain aircraft and naval vessels from Middle Eastern bases considered vulnerable to potential Iranian strikes, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.
This strategic move follows heightened uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump will involve the United States in Israel’s ongoing airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities. The bombardment has triggered an exodus from Iran’s capital, now entering its sixth day.
Separately, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert on Thursday, temporarily restricting personnel from accessing Al Udeid Air Base—the largest American military installation in the Middle East—located in the desert near Doha. The embassy urged heightened vigilance among staff and U.S. citizens in Qatar, citing “ongoing regional hostilities” and acting “out of an abundance of caution.”
The two officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the repositioning is part of broader force protection measures but declined to specify the number of units moved or their new locations. One official noted that aircraft not housed in reinforced shelters had been evacuated from Al Udeid, and naval vessels were withdrawn from the U.S. 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain.
“This isn’t unusual,” the official explained. “Force protection remains our top priority.”
Reuters previously reported the relocation of several tanker aircraft to Europe, alongside the deployment of additional military assets and fighter jets to the Middle East. An aircraft carrier currently stationed in the Indo-Pacific is also en route to the region.
Israel initiated its air offensive last Friday, claiming Iran was on the brink of achieving nuclear weapons capability—a charge Iran strongly denies.
Meanwhile, Iran has warned the U.S. against direct involvement in the conflict. On Wednesday, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva stated that any American intervention in Israel’s military campaign would provoke a firm Iranian response.
