According to a report by Reuters on August 25th, two sources familiar with the matter revealed that the Trump administration is attempting to reassign diplomatic personnel to some of the Middle Eastern diplomatic missions that had previously withdrawn or reduced their staff due to tensions with Iran.
According to sources, those who return to work will be involved in positions abroad in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Baghdad, Iraq. In addition, family members of the U.S. mission in Riyadh will also be allowed to return.
Reuters analysis suggests that this move indicates that Washington believes the risk of a conflict with Iran in the near term has decreased, although some embassies will still operate below their full capacity initially.
According to sources, the initial staffing at some embassies will not exceed 85% of the approved quota. One of the sources said that the return to work for the first batch of personnel is expected to begin as early as this week.
It is understood that since the joint American-Iranian air strike against Iran on February 28 this year, the United States has gradually withdrawn personnel from its embassies across the Middle East. Iran has also attacked some American embassies in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, forcing those embassies to close temporarily.
Since then, the United States has imposed continuous maritime blockades on Iranian ports, and the Strait of Hormuz has also been closed.
Reuters pointed out that although diplomatic efforts to end the war have reached a deadlock, large-scale military conflicts have significantly diminished.
The U.S. Department of State spokesperson stated in an email press release that the department "will continue to review the security situation of its embassies and consulates globally."
The spokesperson said, “Based on the latest assessment, we are adjusting the staffing arrangements for certain positions in the Middle East. This is done to ensure that while we maintain the safety of our personnel and provide protection, we can continue to advance the goals of the United States’ foreign policy.”
The New York Times previously quoted an internal government document, which reported on the news of diplomats returning to work and relaxed emergency measures. The article stated that US embassies in Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar may also be able to return to a higher staffing level.
The report further points out that the US embassies in Israel, Jordan, and Oman will eventually achieve full staffing; initial staff allocation for missions to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Lebanon will be limited to 85%; while staff positions in Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain will be capped at 75%.
A former official of the State Council said in an interview with The New York Times that withdrawing the decision to recall diplomats and their families might indicate that the Trump administration hopes to avoid a renewed escalation of conflict, but it does not guarantee the lasting achievement of peace.
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Robert Danin shares a similar view: “Recalling embassy personnel does not limit their ability to take action against Iran in the future.”
He exemplified this with the evacuation action taken earlier this year, saying, “They can certainly do it again since they’ve already done it once.”
