Reuters: US military action against Iran could come within 24 hours

US military intervention in Iran could come within the next 24 hours, a European official said, as Washington began withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East amid sharply rising regional tensions.

Two European officials said the military intervention appeared likely, with one saying it could come in the next 24 hours. 

A US official told Reuters on January 14 that the United States was pulling some personnel from key bases in the region as a precaution, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbouring countries it would strike American bases if Washington intervenes.

The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the withdrawals were linked to heightened tensions. An Israeli official also said it appeared US President Donald Trump had taken a decision to intervene, though the scope and timing had yet to be made clear.

Qatar said drawdowns were under way at Al Udeid air base, the largest US military base in the region, saying they were “being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions”.

Three diplomats said some personnel had been told to leave the base, though there were no immediate signs of a large-scale evacuation like last year, when troops were moved to a soccer stadium and shopping mall hours before an Iranian missile strike.

The moves come as Iran’s leadership tries to suppress the most severe domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has faced, while seeking to deter Trump’s repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where thousands have been reported killed in a crackdown on demonstrations against clerical rule.

Iran and its Western foes have described the unrest, which began two weeks ago as protests over dire economic conditions before escalating rapidly, as the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. An Iranian official said more than 2,000 people have died, while a rights group put the toll at more than 2,600.

By Sabina Mammadli