U.S. diplomats and families begin returning to Middle East posts

American diplomats and some family members are beginning to return to U.S. embassies in the Middle East after leaving their posts during the early months of the war with Iran. The State Department has started lifting some staffing restrictions, though most embassies will not immediately return to full strength.

Embassies in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain said Friday that some diplomats’ family members could return. Earlier, family members of U.S. government employees in Israel and some workers in Lebanon received similar approval.

The State Department created a “restricted operations” status as six-month limits on earlier departure orders approached. Each embassy will decide staffing, family presence and pay and benefits on a case-by-case basis.

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