US Prepares Middle East Embassies for Long-Term Limited Operations

The US State Department is preparing for the possibility that the exceptional situation at US embassies in the Middle East will continue for an extended period. According to a CNN report published on Wednesday, embassies in the region have been directed to prepare plans for continued operations with a reduced number of staff, as the war with Iran remains unresolved and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation struggle to progress.

While the plans are still in the preparation stages, the directive indicates that the US administration is bracing for a reality where embassies in the region will not return to full capacity anytime soon. Simultaneously, diplomatic staff forced to leave their posts are increasingly being given the option to request an early end to their missions rather than waiting for a return to their stations.

The State Department stated that it does not comment on internal emergency planning but emphasized that it constantly reviews the security situation and staffing levels at each mission. "The safety and security of our personnel and their family members remain the department's top priority as we continue to assess conditions across the region," the department said, adding that personnel matters are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The situation began shortly after the outbreak of war in late February, when the State Department ordered non-essential staff and their families to leave almost all US diplomatic missions in the region. Following attacks by Iran and its proxies, this order extended to Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The US Embassy in Kuwait ceased operations entirely in March and only resumed limited emergency services in late June.

This uncertainty has caused significant personal strain for hundreds of families who were forced to relocate to the US. Furthermore, State Department regulations dictate that a mission cannot remain in an "ordered departure" status for more than 180 days. If conditions do not improve by then, the mission may transition to a state of "limited activity," which imposes strict caps on the number of staff and family members allowed in the country.

Experts warn that these reductions hinder the US's ability to operate effectively. John Bass, a veteran diplomat, explained: "When you have fewer people, there are fewer things you can do, and many things cannot be done remotely." He warned that this state of limited activity could last "months, if not years."

The State Department rejected claims that these reductions have hampered diplomatic efforts, stating: "We have seen sustained engagement from the highest levels of the Trump administration with our partners in the Middle East, and our relationships with our allies in the region continue to strengthen."