The New York Times newspaper gained access to an internal document of the US State Department, according to which the return to the Middle East of embassy employees evacuated due to the war with Iran will begin this week.
According to the document, this applies to diplomatic missions in Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Israel, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Information about this was confirmed to the publication by three diplomatic sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The Department of State is continually reassessing the security situation at our embassies. Based on the latest assessment, the decision has been made to review personnel levels in the Middle East to ensure the achievement of foreign policy goals while protecting our employees,” the department’s press service said.
The evacuation of personnel was carried out in anticipation of the US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. The return of the employees is seen as evidence of President Donald Trump’s refusal to resume hostilities.