US troops begin evacuating Qatar military base over fears Trump could take action against Iran, prompting Tehran retaliation: Live updates

NBC reported that hundreds of troops are being moved from Qatar’s al Udeid Air Base to others in the Middle East.

Sources told the broadcaster that this is to put them out of harm’s way, in case Iran decides to retaliate against an American attack.

The base is the US’ largest in the region, ordinarily home to around 10,000 troops.

In June, troops were removed from the base amid the so-called 12-Day War.

Two European officials told Reuters that a US military intervention appeared likely, with one saying it could come in the next 24 hours

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia told its personnel on Wednesday to act with caution and avoid military installations after Washington threatened to respond to a government crackdown on protests in Iran.

‘Given ongoing regional tensions, the US mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region’, the embassy said in a statement on its website.

‘We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom do the same’.

The Trump administration is suspending all ‌visa processing for visitors from 75 countries starting January 21, with Iran being among them.

Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand are also among the affected ⁠countries, according to the report.

Representatives for the ​State Department did ‍not immediately respond ​to a request for comment on the reported memo, which Fox News said directs US embassies ‍to ‍refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures. No time frame was provided.

The reported pause comes ⁠amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Trump since taking office last January.

In November, Trump had vowed to ‘permanently pause’ migration from all ‘Third World Countries’ following a ‍shooting near the White ⁠House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.

Iran’s foreign minister Araghchi says Israel has always tried to ‘drag [the] US into fighting wars on its behalf’.

‘Now that our streets have been bloodied, Israel openly and proudly says that it armed the protesters with weapons of war, and this is the reason for the hundreds of deaths, Araghchi posted on Telegram.

‘President Trump should now know where to turn to stop the bloodshed.’

The German government is taking a close look at its trade with Iran, keeping an eye on how Berlin could increase pressure on Tehran.

Germany traded about £1.3billion with Iran in 2024, with this number likely falling in 2025 amid increased EU and US sanctions.

France’s foreign minister has today said he is considering sending Eutelsat satellite terminals to Iran to circumvent the internet blockade.

In 2022, Eutelsat accused Iran of jamming two of its satellites amid the Mahsa Amini protests.

Russia will continue trading with Iran despite America’s threats, its foreign minister today said.

Asked about Trump’s pressure on Iran’s trading partners, Sergey Lavrov said Russia will push bilateral agreements despite the threats.

He called the US out for breaking up international norms regarding foreign intervention and trade: ‘Our American colleagues look unreliable when they act in this way’.