“Is the US set to carry out an operation in Iran within 24 hours?”

 Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, Washington has begun withdrawing American personnel from several military bases across the Middle East. On Wednesday (January 14), a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move was a precautionary measure taken in view of the region’s increasingly unstable situation.

Tehran has issued a clear warning to neighboring countries that if Washington launches any attack inside Iran, US military bases in the Middle East will be targeted in retaliation. Shortly after this threat, Washington announced the withdrawal of its personnel.

Meanwhile, senior European Union officials have expressed concern that US military intervention in Iran may now be imminent. According to one European official, the operation could begin within the next 24 hours. Israeli officials have echoed similar views, claiming that President Donald Trump has already decided on military intervention, although the scale and exact timing remain uncertain.

Doha has confirmed that personnel are also being withdrawn from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US base in the Middle East. However, diplomats say there are still no signs of a large-scale troop buildup similar to the situation prior to last year’s Iranian missile strike.

The rising tension is largely driven by a severe deterioration of Iran’s internal situation. Reports indicate that more than 2,000 people have been killed over the past two weeks as authorities cracked down on anti-government protests, with human rights groups suggesting the death toll may exceed 2,600. These demonstrations are being described as the bloodiest mass protests in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

President Trump has repeatedly warned of possible military intervention in support of the protesters. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called the crackdown the most violent repression in Iran’s contemporary history. Iran has blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel, with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi accusing foreign enemies of fueling the instability. Washington has rejected these claims and continues to demand an end to the crackdown on protesters.

Taken together, the withdrawal of US personnel and growing speculation about a military strike have pushed the Middle East into an extremely volatile and dangerous situation.