The Trump administration is sending diplomats back to embassies that were evacuated for the Iran war, despite peace talks floundering, as the White House’s approach to the conflict changes.The State Department is sending staff back to a stream of embassies in Middle Eastern countries that have been hit by Iranian fire, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait, according to the New York Times. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also reportedly sending diplomats back to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. The development captures an unusual dynamic, signaling an easing of tensions at a time when expectations for a U.S.-Iran peace deal have sunk to a new low. It comes as President Donald Trump has signaled a preference for economically isolating Iran, among other strategies, over military escalation, as the war has nearly stretched to the six-month mark.
“The Department continuously reviews the security posture at our diplomatic missions around the world,” a State Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “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.”
