Fact check: Did the US withdraw diplomats and military prior to the Israel attack on Iran?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence conclusively shows that the US did withdraw both diplomatic and military personnel prior to the Israel-Iran conflict. Specifically:

• The State Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel from US embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the US consulate in Erbil ^[1]
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized voluntary departure of military dependents from various Middle East locations ^[1]
• The US embassy in Israel issued restrictions on government staff and family travel ^[1]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question omits several crucial contextual elements:

• The withdrawals were specifically triggered by US intelligence indicating Israel was preparing to strike Iran's nuclear installations ^[2]
• President Trump publicly acknowledged the increasing danger, characterizing the region as a "dangerous place" ^[3]
• The withdrawals were described as "precautionary measures" rather than a definitive response to confirmed military action ^[2]
• The decision affected multiple countries beyond just the immediate conflict zone, including Bahrain and Kuwait ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question might suggest this was a reactive measure to a known upcoming attack, when in fact:

• The withdrawals were part of a broader response to "heightened regional tensions" ^[2]
• The movement of personnel was characterized as both "ordered" for some personnel and "voluntary" for military dependents, showing a more nuanced approach than the question implies ^{[1] [4]}
• The decision was based on potential Iranian retaliation, not just the initial Israeli strike ^[4]
• Multiple government agencies were involved in the decision-making process, including the State Department and Defense Department, indicating a coordinated rather than rushed response ^[1]