US–Iran tensions ecalate as Pentagon orders partial evacuation of key Qatar air base

Iranians Protested in Tehran. (File Image)

As tensions escalate with President Donald Trump threatening “strong action” against protests spreading to new regions, are the US and Iran preparing for military clashes? In the latest development, the Pentagon advised some personnel to leave the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening. This is seen as an indication of Iran’s impending attack on the air base. Al Udeid is the largest US base in West Asia, with more than 10,000 soldiers. The USA made a similar decision before the air strikes against Iran in June. Another important development was the suspension of direct communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas ‌Araqchi and US Special Representative Steve Witkoff.

US-Iran tensions

Another diplomatic development is that Arab countries are calling on the United States to comply with its military action plan against the Shiite nation. Persian Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, want Washington to maintain more restraint and hold talks with Tehran. According to the Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar reportedly told the White House that an attempt at regime change in Iran would seriously affect oil markets and even hit the US economy. Analysts believe that if Iran is attacked, it could block the Strait of Hormuz, stopping the flow of crude oil and dealing a blow to the world economy by increasing prices.

Meanwhile, Iran raised the bar and warned the countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Türkiye, that US air bases in their countries could be targeted if the US attacked the Shiite regime. “Tehran has told countries in the region, from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Türkiye, that if the US targets Iran, US bases in those countries will be attacked… it has asked these countries to prevent Washington from attacking Iran,” an official told Reuters.

US-Iran conflict

The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran and the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs said protests had spread across the country, leading to arrests, injuries and heavy security measures. Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei signaled speedy trials for those detained in protests across the country. It indicates quick decisions and possible executions. “If we want to do something, we must do it immediately. If we want to do something, we must do it quickly,” he said. “If it’s late, it doesn’t have the same effect after two months, three months. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly.” Erfan Soltani, who was arrested on January 8, was sentenced to death and will be executed on Wednesday.