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US begins restoring staff to some Middle East missions after Iran tensions

Some embassies will initially run at up to 85% of approved staffing levels, and the return could start as early as this week.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

The Trump administration is starting to send staff back to some diplomatic missions in the Middle East that were evacuated or downsized amid heightened tensions with Iran, Reuters reports, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Missions in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Baghdad, Iraq are among the posts where staff are expected to return, Reuters said. Family members are also expected to be allowed back to the US post in Riyadh, according to the same sources.

The move points to Washington viewing the risk of Iran-related conflict escalating in the near term as lower, Reuters added. However, some embassies will operate below full capacity at first, with staffing at no more than 85% of authorized levels.

The United States pulled staff from embassies across the region after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, Reuters noted. The restoration of some staff is expected to start as early as this week, one source said.

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