Live Updates: U.S. reducing troop footprint in Middle East, sources say, as indirect talks on ceasefire proposal with Iran continue

Updated on: October 21, 2026 / 7:06 PM EDT / CBS News

A U.S. official and a senior U.S. military official told CBS News on Wednesday the military has been quietly reducing its footprint at posts in the Middle East due to ongoing regional threats from the Houthis and direct threats from Iran.

NBC News was first to report on the drawdowns.

Asked about the reports, U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told CBS News: "We regularly move U.S. service members and assets to optimize mission readiness. We do not discuss related movements for operational security reasons. U.S. forces remain vigilant and ready to protect American personnel and interests across the region."

The U.S. State Department has also ordered non-essential U.S. embassy personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia, citing threats posed by the Iran-backed Houthis.

CBS News has learned several U.S. embassies in the Middle East have adjusted their staffing under "restricted operations" status.

The restricted operations status, which the department introduced in August amid flare-ups in the war with Iran, allows embassies to reduce staffing and services without fully suspending operations.

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Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/