US prepares to return diplomats to Middle East embassies – NYT
The United States is preparing to return diplomats to several embassies in the Middle East that were evacuated before and during the war with Iran, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing an internal State Department document and three US officials.
The return of Foreign Service officers and the easing of emergency measures at some US missions could begin as early as this week, the newspaper said.
The embassies set to increase staffing include those in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the report.
The New York Times said the US Embassy in Lebanon would be the first to receive returning diplomats, although staffing there would remain below full capacity.
The embassies in Israel, Jordan and Oman are eventually expected to return to full staffing, while missions in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon would initially operate at up to 85% of normal staffing, the report said.
Embassies in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain would initially operate at up to 75% staffing, while restrictions on family members would remain in place in several Gulf countries and Lebanon, according to the newspaper.
The State Department told the New York Times it regularly reviews security at US diplomatic missions and was adjusting staffing at some Middle East posts based on its latest assessment.
