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The U.S. military has quietly been scaling back its presence at bases across the Middle East in recent days, according to two U.S. officials and two people familiar with the matter who spoke to NBC News. Troops at bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait are among those moved, per one of the officials. Earlier today, the State Department announced the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia is reducing staff. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott cited Iranian supported Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on civilian airports. Chiefs of mission at multiple other posts were told they would operate with reduced staff, the officials said. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson said, “We regularly move U.S. service members and assets to optimize mission readiness.” The sources said the moves respond to ongoing threats, including from Iran, and resemble drawdowns at the start of the war in February. One official and one person familiar said moving forces out of harm’s way is part of planning as President Donald J. Trump considers restarting major combat operations, potentially before or after the midterms. President Trump wrote on October 8th that the U.S. will not attack Iran before the November 3rd midterms. NBC reports options presented to President Trump include strikes on tunnels or entrances at Iranian nuclear sites such as Pickaxe Mountain and on strategic islands including Kharg Island and Qeshm. Source: www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security...