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The United States and other countries are beginning to evacuate personnel from key military bases and diplomatic facilities in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Over the last week, protests in Iran have dramatically escalated as public outrage over the country’s collapsing economy has transformed into widespread demands for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic itself. What began as demonstrations against inflation and economic hardship has evolved into one of the most significant challenges to the regime since the 1979 revolution. Security forces have responded with brutal crackdowns, reportedly killing thousands of protesters in cities across the country. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with US-based human rights groups confirming at least 2,000 deaths, while some Israeli intelligence assessments suggest the number may be as high as 20,000. Accurate reporting is difficult due to a government-imposed internet blackout, whichhas severely restricted the flow of information both domestically and internationally. This wave of unrest comes after former President Donald Trump warned Tehran that the mass killing of protesters would cross a “red line,” threatening severe consequences if the regime continued its violent repression.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, there has been an uptick in US military movement coming out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. US officials, speaking anonymously to various news outlets, confirmed that some personnel and aircraft have been relocated from the base as a “precautionary measure” amid rising tensions with Iran. This has been backed up by publicly available flight data showing multiple US aircraft leaving the airbase. The move echoes past actions taken prior to major US-led strikes and is being viewed as preparation for potential military engagement, especially as President Trump weighs actions against Tehran.

Qatar has officially confirmed the partial drawdown at Al Udeid Air Base. In a statement, the country’s International Media Office called the move a precautionary response to “current regional tensions,” emphasizing that the state continues to take all necessary actions to safeguard infrastructure, residents, and foreign personnel.

Other countries have begun implementing similar steps. The United Kingdom is reportedly scaling back its presence at Al Udeid, with the Ministry of Defence refusing to comment directly but stating it “takes all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of personnel.” Meanwhile, several US embassies in the region, including in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have issued security advisories urging staff and American citizens to limit travel near military installations and remain vigilant. The US embassy in Iran, which operates virtually, has gone further, advising Americans to exit the country immediately via land routes through Turkey or Armenia.

Airlines have also begun reacting to the escalating security risk. A wide array of carriers have suspended or significantly disrupted flights to and from Iran. These include Emirates, which canceled all Dubai–Tehran flights on Friday; flydubai, which halted service to multiple Iranian cities including Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz; Qatar Airways, which suspended all flights to Tehran and Mashhad through the weekend; Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, both of which halted operations to numerous Iranian cities; Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, which extended flight suspensions to Tehran well into January, citing regional instability. No formal airspace closure or NOTAM has been issued yet, but carriers are acting on their own risk assessments.