The United States has evacuated dozens of non-essential personnel from its embassy in Lebanon as it positions military assets in the region for a potential strike against Iran. A senior State Department official described the move as a prudent measure to reduce the diplomatic footprint to essential staff only.
Approximately 30 to 50 embassy employees have left Lebanon via Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, according to estimates. The evacuation follows reports that the US is preparing for possible Iranian retaliation if tensions escalate into open conflict. The embassy remains operational with core personnel, the official said.
The US and Iran are scheduled to hold a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday regarding Iran's nuclear programme. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for a meaningful deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, warning that failure would lead to severe consequences.
This is not the first time the US has evacuated diplomatic staff in the region. In 2025, non-essential personnel were temporarily removed from embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait before US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. US officials have cautioned that Iran might respond by targeting US embassies or military bases, possibly through proxy forces like Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran recently conducted joint military drills with Russia, testing anti-ship missiles capable of threatening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route. Meanwhile, the US has amassed significant naval and air power in the region, including two aircraft carriers and advanced surveillance aircraft, in what is the largest buildup since before the Iraq War.
