Washington has ordered the evacuation of dozens of non-essential personnel from its embassy in Lebanon, as US naval and air assets are positioned in the region amid the risk of a potential strike against Iran. Around 30 to 50 staff are believed to have left via Beirut’s international airport, in a move described as precautionary should tensions escalate further.
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The United States and Iran are due to hold a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday, focused on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme. The US president has said he is seeking a “meaningful deal” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, while warning of consequences if negotiations fail. Similar diplomatic drawdowns have preceded US military action in the past, including evacuations from embassies in Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait before strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025.
A senior State Department official said the departure order applied to non-emergency personnel and eligible family members, adding that the embassy in Beirut remains operational with core staff. The measure was described as temporary and intended to ensure staff safety while maintaining consular services for US citizens.
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US officials have warned that any conflict could prompt Iranian retaliation, potentially targeting US diplomatic missions or military bases, either directly or through allied groups in the region. Meanwhile, the US has significantly increased its military presence, deploying aircraft carriers, warplanes and combat ships, while Iran has conducted joint military exercises with Russia and tested new anti-ship missiles capable of threatening key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
