The United States is drawing down the presence of staffers who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East and their loved ones due to the potential for regional unrest.

The U.S. military is also sending aircraft to the Middle East and Europe in case they are needed to support U.S. installations overseas.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that U.S. personnel are being "moved out" of parts of the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Israel and Iran.

Donald Trump declared that, “for the first time in a thousand years, the world will look at this region not as a place of turmoil and strife, and war and death, but as a land of opportunity and hope.”

World shares nudged up on Monday, helped by oil walking back some of last week's increase, though the conflict between Israel and Iran remained a concern, adding further uncertainty to a week packed with central bank meetings.

As of mid-2025, there are about 40,000 to 50,000 US troops in the Middle East, comprising personnel stationed in both large, permanent bases and smaller forward sites across the region.

Rising tensions with Iran and fears of an Israeli strike prompted the U.S. to move some of its nonmilitary personnel out of the region.

The United States has pulled some diplomatic staff and military families out of the Middle East, citing unspecified regional security risks.

Pete Hegseth authorized U.S. military dependents in the Middle East to voluntarily depart amid increased tension in the Middle East.