The US State Department is planning to return diplomats to Middle East embassies that were evacuated due to tensions with Iran. According to an internal document cited by the New York Times, the first diplomats to return would be assigned to the US Embassy in Lebanon. Staffing at some posts will remain below full levels, with Israel, Jordan, and Oman being fully staffed eventually, while others will have reduced staffing, such as 85% in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Lebanon. The document suggests that the return of diplomats could begin as early as this week.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
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Story summary
The US is planning to send diplomats back to several embassies in the Middle East that were evacuated due to tensions with Iran. According to a report by the New York Times, the State Department is preparing to restore higher staffing levels at embassies in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait. The return of Foreign Service officers and the scaling back of emergency measures could begin as early as this week. The State Department said it is adjusting its staffing posture to ensure that US foreign policy objectives can continue while protecting personnel safety. The decision comes after the war with Iran, which led to the evacuation of several embassies in the region.
Written for “Diplomats Return to Embassies” on 2026-08-31,
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No political leaning scored for article 2213 · logged 2026-08-27
US prepares to send diplomats back to Middle East embassies after Iran war evacuations, NYT reports
Aug 25 -
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NYT → prepare → evacuations
The U.S. State Department is preparing to return diplomats to embassies in the Middle East that were evacuated before and during the war with Iran, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing an internal State Department document.
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Times → prepare → document
The return of Foreign Service officers and the scaling back of emergency measures at U.S. missions in the region could begin as early as this week, the report said.
uncertain
report → begin → week
Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report.
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Reuters → verify → report
The U.S. Department of State could not immediately be reached for comment outside regular business hours.
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Department → reach → hours
Embassies slated to restore higher staffing levels include those in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the report.
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Embassies → slat → report
In a statement quoted by the New York Times, the State Department said it "continuously reviews the security posture at our diplomatic missions around the world.
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it → quote → world
"
"Based on our latest assessment, we are adjusting our staffing posture at certain posts in the Middle East to ensure we can continue advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives while protecting the safety and security of our personnel," it added.
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it → base → personnel
According to the document, the first diplomats to return would be assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, although staffing there would remain below full levels.
uncertain
staffing → accord → levels
Ultimately, staff would return completely to the U.S. embassies in Israel, Jordan and Oman, the report said.
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report → return → Israel
Posts in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon would initially be capped at 85% staffing, while missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain would be limited to 75%, according to the document.
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missions → cap → document
The staff reductions began in February, when Washington authorized voluntary departures of non-emergency personnel and family members from Israel amid tensions with Iran.
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Washington → begin → Iran
