Saturday, February 21 2026 13:01
Alexandr Avanesov

Evacuation and deployment of personnel from US military bases is seen  as preparatory step to prevent Iran from retaliating - expert 

Evacuation and deployment of personnel from US military bases is seen  as preparatory step to prevent Iran from retaliating - expert 

ArmInfo.When a state begins documenting threats in international structures, it no longer  speaks of theoretical rhetoric of military escalation, but of the high practical risk of such threats. Former Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Artak Zakaryan wrote this on his  Facebook page, commenting on the situation surrounding Iran.

The expert notes that, according to a Pentagon source published in  The New York Times, the US is evacuating personnel from its military  bases in Bahrain (the 5th Fleet) and Qatar (not all). It is also  noted that some personnel from military bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait,  Jordan, and the UAE have already been evacuated.

"It's worth noting that Iran yesterday sent an official letter to UN  Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of a possible attack  against it. This was an attempt to establish an international legal  basis for a possible future conflict. The logic is that, firstly, in  the event of a possible attack, Iran, citing its official warning  letter, will interpret retaliatory strikes as self-defense actions  taken in accordance with international law. Furthermore, this should  be perceived as an official signal addressed not only to the UN but  to all countries in the region. Naturally, the evacuation and  deployment of personnel from US regional military bases is seen as a  preparatory step aimed at preventing retaliatory actions by Iran.  Finally, when a state begins documenting threats in international  structures, this no longer speaks of theoretical rhetoric of military  escalation, but of the high practical risk of such threats," Artak  Zakarian believes. As a reminder, US President Donald Trump stated on  February 19 that Iran faces military action if ongoing nuclear talks  fail. "We have to reach a meaningful agreement, or bad things will  happen," Trump declared, adding that he was giving Tehran "10 to 15  days." Speaking at the first meeting of the Board of Peace, which he  organized, Trump emphasized that if no agreement is reached,  Washington might be forced to "take the next step." Later, answering  journalists' questions aboard Air Force One, the president clarified:  "I think that time will be enough-10, 15 days, maximum."  

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