American diplomats and at least some of their family members are beginning to return to U.S. embassies in West Asia after many were ordered to leave their posts during the early days of the war with Iran .
On Friday (August 28), the day the Iran war hit its six-month mark, embassies in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain announced they would allow diplomats’ family members to return, although in Bahrain and Kuwait it applies only to those older than 18.
The changes are not necessarily reflective of a shift in the Trump administration’s policy toward Iran — now focused on economic rather than kinetic military warfare. Earlier in the week, all family members of U.S. government employees in Israel, as well as those who are over 21 and who work in Lebanon, were given the go-ahead to return. Instead, the changes are mainly due to the legalities of human resources policy, which limits the time diplomats may be away from post while still being paid and collecting benefits for themselves and their families.
“We remain committed to supporting our workforce and their families throughout this process and will provide updates through appropriate channels as decisions are made,” the department said.
