NBC News reports US moves troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait

NBC News reported that the Pentagon quietly moved a number of US troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait, as the US State Department ordered nonessential employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.

NBC News, citing two US officials, reported that the US Defense Department moved a number of troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait in recent days amid ongoing threats in the region, including threats from Iran.

The move comes as military leaders are presenting President Donald Trump with options for launching new strikes on Iran. The Defense Department said it routinely moves its forces and does not disclose details of such movements for operational security reasons.

Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base

The US State Department had ordered nonessential government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. Department spokesman Tommy Pigott denied reports that the families of employees were being withdrawn from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, stressing that the decision applied only to Saudi Arabia.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified in recent days. A drone attack on Aramco's Shibah oil field killed two people.