The United States has evacuated personnel from multiple military bases and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East following intelligence assessments that Iranian preparations to attack Americans have reached advanced stages.

Wall Street Journal reporting published Saturday cited U.S. officials describing a sudden drawdown prompted by the assessments. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton summarized the findings in a memo sent Friday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The moves come as the Trump administration weighs renewed military operations against Iran. Earlier this week, NBC News reported quiet withdrawals of troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait, with only limited air defense and security personnel remaining at some sites. The State Department placed the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh under ordered departure status, requiring non-essential staff and families to leave.

Additional steps include repositioning of U.S. aircraft from regional air bases to limit potential losses and rearming of the USS George Washington in the Arabian Sea with standoff missiles and other munitions. CENTCOM officials have described the adjustments as routine optimizations for readiness.

These developments follow prior U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier in the year. Iranian-backed groups have continued threats against American personnel and interests in the region, according to the intelligence assessments.

Officials emphasized that the evacuations and repositioning are precautionary measures to protect U.S. forces and diplomats while options for further action are under review.