Iran War: US Withdraws Personnel from the Middle East and Prepares for Retaliation

The Pentagon and State Department have withdrawn some personnel from several bases and facilities in the Middle East as Washington anticipates possible Iranian retaliation. The New York Times reported that US forces remaining in the region had trained to handle large numbers of casualties. A memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iranian plots targeting US citizens had reached an advanced stage. Donald Trump is considering renewed strikes against Tehran, but officials have not confirmed a new operation.