The US State Department is preparing to send diplomats back to American embassies across the Middle East that were evacuated before and during the war with Iran, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Monday, citing an internal State Department document.
According to the New York Times, the return of Foreign Service staff and the scaling back of emergency measures at US missions in the region could begin as soon as this week. Reuters said it had not been able to independently verify the New York Times report, and could not immediately reach the State Department for comment outside normal business hours.
Embassies selected to restore higher staffing levels include those in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, the New York Times reported, citing the document.
In a statement quoted by the New York Times, the State Department said it was "continuously reviewing the security posture at our diplomatic missions around the world." The department added that, based on its most recent assessment, it is adjusting staffing levels at certain Middle East posts in order to keep advancing US foreign policy objectives while protecting the safety of its personnel.
According to the document cited by the New York Times, the first diplomats to return will be posted to the US embassy in Lebanon, though staffing there will remain below full levels. Staff are expected to return in full to the US embassies in Israel, Jordan and Oman, the New York Times reported.
Posts in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon will initially reach 85% staffing, while missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain will be capped at 75%, according to the document.
The staff reductions began in February, when Washington approved the voluntary departure of non-essential personnel and their family members from Israel amid tensions with Iran.
Sources: CNA, New York Times and Reuters
