A Beirut evacuation order has reduced staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon as regional tensions rise. The U.S. State Department directed non-emergency personnel and eligible family members to depart Monday, citing security concerns amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the Middle East ordered by President Trump.
“The Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from U.S. Embassy Beirut,” the State Department said. Officials emphasized the move is precautionary.
“We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel. The Embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist U.S. citizens,” the statement continued.
The evacuation follows reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has tightened control over Hezbollah in Lebanon as the prospect of potential U.S. strikes looms. According to analysts, Tehran may view Hezbollah as a strategic asset if conflict escalates.
“If the regime in Tehran feels threatened, the likelihood of unleashing Hezbollah against Israel and U.S. regional assets increases substantially,” Ross Harrison, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said. He added, “Hezbollah would not be activated right away, unless the attack immediately targets the leadership of the Islamic Republic. But as part of a graduated response, Hezbollah will likely be seen as an asset.”
Trump previously set a 10 to 15-day deadline for Iran to respond to a proposed deal. A new round of talks is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, focusing on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief.
