US State Department increases staffing levels at Middle East embassies and missions

The US State Department is increasing staffing levels at diplomatic missions and embassies across the Middle East, an official announced on Tuesday. The New York Times reported that Washington is preparing to bring diplomats back to embassies that were evacuated during the war with Iran. This staffing adjustment could commence as early as this week, the report stated.

The embassies expected to see higher staffing levels include those in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait. According to The National, a State Department representative clarified that the department regularly evaluates the security situation at US diplomatic missions worldwide. Based on their latest assessment, they are modifying their staffing approach at certain posts in the Middle East to maintain the advancement of US foreign policy goals while safeguarding the safety and security of personnel.

The State Department's spokesman reiterated that authorization or ordering departures (AD or OD) decisions are contingent on changing security conditions and are made with the utmost priority on the safety of personnel and their families. During the Iran war, which President Donald Trump initiated in collaboration with Israel on February 28, the State Department had reduced staffing levels across the region.

Embassies in Baghdad, Riyadh, and Kuwait faced attacks from Iran and Iran-aligned groups, with embassy compounds experiencing repeated firing.