Precautions being actioned... in Lebanon
US partially evacuates Beirut embassy amid rising Iran tensions
6 hours ago
The US government has ordered all non-essential staff to leave its embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut after a security review, a senior State Department official has told the BBC.
The decision comes as there are heightened tensions in the region, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action against Iran if it does not reach a deal over its nuclear programme.
Iran has previously vowed to retaliate if attacked by the US, with American bases and facilities in the Middle East thought to be possible targets.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delayed a planned trip to Israel without announcing a reason.
A senior State Department official said: "We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel.
"The embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens."
About 50 members of US embassy staff have been ordered to leave, with 32 staff members and their families flying out of Beirut airport on Monday, an airport official told Reuters news agency.
A precise reason has not been given for the partial evacuation, but it comes after Trump said "bad things" would happen if Iran did not reach an agreement over its nuclear programme.
The rhetoric has sparked fears of possible retaliation from Tehran, with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posting messages to social media threatening US forces.
Washington holds the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, responsible for the deadly bombings of a US Marine barracks and the embassy in Beirut in 1983.
The State Department has ordered non-essential staff to leave the embassy in Beirut after a security review.
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