Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
US withdrawing troops from key Middle East bases as precaution, US official says
People walk past a large patriotic banner depicting the Iranian flag in Enghelab Square in Tehran on January 14, 2026. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)
The United States is withdrawing personnel from key bases in the region as a precaution given heightened regional tensions, a US official tells Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The disclosure follows remarks by a senior Iranian official who told Reuters earlier that Tehran had warned neighbors hosting US troops that it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.
Earlier today, some personnel were advised to leave the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by this evening.
Al Udeid is the Middle East’s largest US base, housing around 10,000 troops. Ahead of the US airstrikes on Iran in June some personnel were moved off US bases in the Middle East.
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