WASHINGTON — The US military has begun evacuating some of its personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as President Donald Trump weighs potential military strikes against Iran's government, two officials briefed on the matter told Al-Monitor.

The temporary departure began after Trump convened with top national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss courses of action, one of the sources said. The president has repeatedly threatened to strike at Iran's government if its security forces use violence against protesters amid a broad public uprising that has demanded an end to clerical rule.

Yet Trump has been evasive about what specific actions may trigger him to order a US military strike. On Tuesday, the president told CBS News he may order "very strong action" if the Islamic Republic goes through with the hanging of at least one protester, reportedly planned for Wednesday. Earlier that day, he urged Iranians to continue protesting and “take over” the country’s institutions if possible,........

© Al Monitor