U.S. Confirms Staffing Increase at Middle East Missions After Iran War Evacuations

The U.S. State Department said it is increasing staffing at selected diplomatic posts across the Middle East after reviewing regional security conditions following Iran-war evacuations. Missions in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait are expected to restore personnel, with Israel, Jordan and Oman eventually returning to full staffing. Gulf posts and Lebanon are initially expected to operate below full strength, while Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain retain tighter limits and some family-member restrictions. The department said authorized and ordered departures remain tied to changing conditions and personnel safety; it did not provide a complete schedule.