U.S. diplomats are preparing to return to several embassies across the Middle East following evacuations and staffing reductions carried out before and during the war with Iran, with the process expected to begin as early as this week.

According to a New York Times report citing an internal U.S. State Department document, the plan to restore diplomatic staffing includes U.S. embassies in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait.

Lebanon figures prominently in the plan, with diplomats returning to the U.S. Embassy in the country expected to be among the first personnel to resume their duties in the region. Staffing levels, however, are initially expected to remain below full capacity.

According to published reports, U.S. missions in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are expected to initially operate at up to 85% of their normal staffing levels, while missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain are expected to reach around 75%. Embassies in Israel, Jordan and Oman are eventually expected to return to full staffing levels.

The U.S. State Department said it continuously reviews the security situation at its diplomatic missions worldwide and adjusts staffing levels based on the latest security assessments, allowing it to carry out U.S. foreign policy while protecting the safety and security of its personnel.
The return of diplomats and the easing of emergency measures could signal that Washington does not currently anticipate an immediate return to full-scale military confrontation with Iran, although uncertainty remains across the region.

The move, however, does not mean that all U.S. embassies have returned to normal operations. Some security restrictions remain in place, including restrictions concerning accompanying family members of U.S. personnel in Lebanon and several Gulf countries.

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