TRUMP orders withdrawal of US military out of major Middle East base as Iran tension grows

Thursday, January 15, 2026 - President Donald Trump has ordered a partial withdrawal of US military personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, with some troops expected to depart no later than Tuesday night as tensions with Iran escalate.

Al Udeid, which houses roughly 10,000 US troops and serves as the largest American military installation in the Middle East and headquarters of US Central Command, will not be fully evacuated. Officials described the move as precautionary following warnings from Tehran that it would target American bases in the region if the US intervenes to protect Iranian protesters.

Qatar confirmed that the measures were being taken “in response to the current regional tensions.” The development comes as Trump’s national security team weighs options after more than 2,000 protesters were reported killed in Iran.

Speaking aboard Air Force One earlier this week, Trump said: “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options.” Asked about possible retaliation from Iran, he added: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”

Anonymous US officials have said potential actions could include cyber operations and direct strikes by either the US or Israel. Tehran has warned that American and Israeli forces would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington uses force.

Analysts say the reduction in troop levels represents an operational calculation rather than a retreat. Dr Bamo Nouri, professor of International Relations at the University of West London, told Metro that any US strike on Iran would almost certainly trigger retaliation against nearby US bases rather than against the American mainland. He described the move as precautionary, intended to reduce vulnerability and protect personnel “in a moment of heightened risk.” He added that heavy US casualties would undermine Trump’s “America First” posture at a time when domestic tolerance for foreign conflict remains low.

Experts emphasize that the protest movement inside Iran is driven by domestic political grievances. Dr Katayoun Shahandeh of the SOAS Centre for Iranian Studies said most Iranians oppose foreign intervention, but the scale of reported deaths and detentions has changed the calculus.

“With conservative estimates now exceeding 2,500 killed, widespread detentions, and individuals being prepared for execution, many Iranians increasingly feel that international intervention is no longer optional but necessary,” she said. She warned that escalation involving the US could shift the focus away from political change and toward nuclear negotiations, similar to 2025, leaving protesters sidelined. She added that inaction by the international community could enable the regime to outlast the movement once again.

Amid the Iran crisis, US officials are also focusing attention on Greenland. Denmark has increased military activity in the region, with speculation of a NATO deployment circulating. Trump has argued that Greenland can only be protected from Russia and China under US control, writing on Truth Social: “Militarily, without the vast power of the United States… NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent — not even close! They know that, and so do I. NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”