by James Genn
The US Embassy in Beirut evacuated dozens of non-essential personnel, citing precautionary measures due to anticipated regional developments, the State Department confirmed.
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The US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, evacuated dozens of non-essential personnel via Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, the US State Department confirmed on Monday.
This was "a precautionary measure due to anticipated regional developments," as first reported by Lebanese broadcaster LBCI.
"The Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US Embassy Beirut," a State Department spokesperson told The Jerusalem Post. "We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel. The Embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens."
This comes as the US has gathered a dozen military ships in Middle Eastern waters and may be preparing for a bloody, extended confrontation with the Iranian regime.
The current US arsenal in the area includes two destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea, one in the Red Sea, four in the Persian Gulf, and an aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by four destroyers in the Arabian Sea. Another carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, also arrived in the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, accompanied by warships.
The United States military has moved over 50 fighter jets to the Middle East in the last 24 hours as part of its buildup of air and naval assets near Iran, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing a US official.
A host of F-16, F-22, and F-35 jets were observed heading to the Middle East by independent flight trackers.
Iran could order proxies to attack American targets in retaliation if US strikes - NYT
Additionally, Iran may order its proxies to retaliate against American targets worldwide should US President Donald Trump order "large-scale attacks" against the regime, the New York Times reported on Sunday evening, citing US and Western officials.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the officials told the NYT that, while they haven't learned of any specific plots, "heightened 'chatter'" in intercepted terrorist communications "indicates some level of attack planning and coordination."
“Iran can work through proxies to conduct terrorist attacks that will raise costs for any US military campaign,” Executive Director of the Soufan Center in New York, Colin P. Clarke, shared with NYT, explaining that should Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the IRGC feel threatened by the US's attack, it may lead to them "order[ing] terror attacks abroad, including in Europe."
A second Sunday NYT report said that Trump is weighing “a much bigger attack [on Iran] in coming months” that would topple the regime and its leaders, with the outlet citing individuals briefed on the matter.
The larger attack would come should Iran refuse to “give in to his [Trump’s] demands” regarding its nuclear program, according to the NYT.
Miriam Sela-Eitam, Tzvi Jasper, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
James Genn
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-887628
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