Overview
- U.S. officials and diplomats said some personnel at Al Udeid in Qatar were advised to leave by Wednesday evening, a move characterized as precautionary rather than a large-scale evacuation.
- Iran told regional governments that U.S. bases on their soil would be targeted if Washington carries out strikes on Iran, according to a senior Iranian official quoted by Reuters.
- The IRGC’s aerospace commander said Iran has increased its missile stockpiles and is at peak defensive readiness, signaling preparation for potential escalation.
- Direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended, as Gulf states pursue phone diplomacy to reduce risks.
- CENTCOM said it recently opened a new air and missile defense coordination cell at Al Udeid, and rights group HRANA reports roughly 2,400–2,600 deaths in Iran’s protests that prompted U.S. warnings from President Trump.