US orders embassy staff, families to evacuate from Saudi Arabia

The United States State Department has issued orders for all embassy staff and their families to evacuate from Saudi Arabia, reflecting heightened concerns over regional security in the Middle East. The directive comes as part of a broader pullback of American personnel from key Gulf states.

US citizens have been similarly ordered to leave the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. These nations have all faced threats from Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, prompting Washington to take precautionary measures to protect American lives in the region.

The evacuation orders underscore the volatile security situation in the Gulf, where Iran has conducted military operations and threatened further action against American interests and their allies. The move represents a significant escalation in US contingency planning for the region.

The State Department has not disclosed the exact timeline for the evacuations or provided specific details regarding the nature of the threats. Officials indicated that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution to safeguard American personnel stationed throughout the region.