Iran closed its airspace Wednesday, issuing a Notice to Airmen after Western officials warned a U.S. strike could be imminent. The move came as President Donald Trump signaled military action remains possible amid Iran’s deadly crackdown on protests.
Two European officials told Reuters that U.S. military intervention could come within the next 24 hours. An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had decided to intervene, though the scope and timing remained uncertain.
Reports say some U.S. forces have already withdrawn from regional bases in preparation for potential strikes. Qatar confirmed that U.S. personnel have left Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, which houses roughly 10,000 troops.
The U.S. Air Force’s evacuation of military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base has begun in preparation of strikes against Iran, with a steady stream of at least 6 KC-135R/T “Stratotanker” Aerial-Refueling Tankers seen departing the base in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/F7pSAZFUyE
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 14, 2026
The move was made after Iran had warned neighbouring countries it would strike U.S. military bases on their soil if the U.S. were to attack Iran. In June, during the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran fired ballistic missiles at the U.S. military’s Al Udeid Air Base in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
“All the signals are that a U.S. attack is imminent, but that is also how this administration behaves to keep everyone on their toes. Unpredictability is part of the strategy,” a Western military official told Reuters later on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters Wednesday that he had been informed the killings of Iranian protesters had stopped. He previously warned that the U.S. would take action if the violence continued.
The president however did not rule out potential U.S. military action, saying, “we are going to watch what the process is.”
