A US military strike on Iran could be imminent as tensions escalate, officials have warned.
It comes as some American and British military personnel have been withdrawn from the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar as a “precautionary measure” amid the rising tensions with Iran, while the British embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed.
"We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely. Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this consular change," a government spokesperson said today.
Britain's ambassador and all consular staff were evacuated based on a security assessment and a decision to prioritise staff safety, a British official said.
A statement by the Qatar government said the step was being taken "in response to the current regional tensions".
A US official also confirmed the move to the Reuters news agency.
It comes after Donald Trump said the US would take "very strong action" against Iran if the authorities execute anti-government protesters.
Erfan Soltani, 26, was expected to be hanged on Wednesday following his arrest in connection with demonstrations in the city of Karaj, human rights groups have said.
But in an update on Thursday, a cousin of Mr Soltani told The Guardian that she had received a call from his family telling her that the execution had been postponed.
The Iranian authorities would reportedly not give any further details.
The family told the cousin that they have neither heard from Erfan nor seen him to confirm the claim, she added.
Iran has said it will retaliate if attacked by the US and bases in the region could be targeted.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the Iran protests
The Al-Udeid base, which hosts thousands of US service members, was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene, wrote on X amid the recent rising tensions with US: “The US President, who repeatedly talks about the futile aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities, would do well to also mention the destruction of the US base in Al-Udeid by Iranian missiles."
"It would certainly help create a real understanding of Iran's will and ability to respond to any aggression,"
The Pentagon declined to comment on questions about the personnel being evacuated from the base south of Doha.
"The State of Qatar continues to implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities," Qatar's media office said in a post on X.
According to rights groups, more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in a violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities on protests against the regime.
Mr Soltani’s family have urged US President Trump to intervene to spare his life.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price.
"I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY".
