US withdrawing personnel from bases in the Middle East: media

CAIRO -- The United States is withdrawing some of its personnel from its military bases in the Middle East as a precaution amid heightened regional tensions, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous US official.

Qatar has also confirmed that personnel are departing the US base over "regional tensions."

The latest developments come as regional tensions show signs of escalation surrounding Iran's protests, with US officials repeatedly threatening to intervene.

According to local media, Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has said that the country will respond forcefully to any attack and "defend the country with full force and until the last drop of blood."

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted anonymous sources saying that Iran has warned neighboring countries hosting US forces that US military bases could be targeted if Washington intervenes in the ongoing protests.