U.S. withdraws some forces from Middle East as Trump weighs Iran strikes

The Pentagon has initiated a partial withdrawal of U.S. troops and assets from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar as President Trump deliberates on potential military action against Iran. This move mirrors previous precautions taken before strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The U.S. is concerned about managing any counterstrike from Iran, especially given the recent threat to target al-Udeid Air Base. The drawdown comes amid ongoing protests in Iran, where the regime has responded with a brutal crackdown, leading to thousands of casualties. The U.S. military's ability to respond quickly in the region is constrained by the absence of an aircraft carrier nearby.