US warplanes increase activity at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar while US citizens urged to leave Iran

U.S. fighter jets have increased activity at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is located 200 to 300 kilometers away from the border with Iran, and the U.S. government has issued an emergency alert to urge its citizens to leave Iran.

According to reports of Israeli media, several U.S. warplanes, including KC-135 aerial refueling tanker and B-52 strategic bomber, took off from Al Udeid Air Base on Sunday night.

The Air Base, located about 35 kilometers southwest of Doha, capital of Qatar, is home to more than 10,000 U.S. soldiers. It is one of the largest U.S. military bases in the region, with a 4,500-meter-long runway capable of accommodating large military aircraft such as B-52 strategic bombers and transport planes. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday diplomacy remains the preferred approach for the United States to deal with Iran, though the Trump administration will not rule out military options if necessary.

U.S. "President (Donald) Trump has always expressed that diplomacy is the first option," Leavitt said on Fox News. "However, he is unafraid to use the lethal force and might of the United States military if and when he deems that necessary."

"What President Trump will do next only he knows, so the world will have to keep waiting and guessing, and we will let him decide," she said, refusing to discuss any potential U.S. actions or policy decisions concerning Iran.

Also on Monday, the Department of State of the United States urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately.

The Department asked U.S. citizens in its emergency alert to make a leaving plan that does not rely on assistance from the U.S. government, and reminded those who cannot leave Iran to remain at safe areas and store daily necessities like water, food and medicines.

US warplanes increase activity at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar while US citizens urged to leave Iran

US warplanes increase activity at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar while US citizens urged to leave Iran

Rawalpindi, the garrison city neighboring Pakistan's capital Islamabad, is on high security alert ahead of the expected second round of U.S.-Iran talks.

Rawalpindi is not only an important transport hub for Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, but is also home to Nur Khan Air Base, where the U.S. delegation landed during the first round of U.S.-Iran talks.

More than 600 checkpoints were set up in the city, and local business activities were also reduced, local media reported.

Footage from a China Media Group (CMG) reporter showed that many shops in major commercial districts in downtown Rawalpindi were closed, and more police were visible on the streets.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that U.S. representatives were going to Islamabad for negotiations. Sources say advance teams from the U.S., including security personnel, have arrived in Islamabad to coordinate arrangements for the expected talks.

Meanwhile, Iran's official news agency IRNA said on the same day that the country had rejected taking part in the second round of talks.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East, and exercising tight control over the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8, which was followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12.

Security strengthened in key city near Pakistan's capital ahead of expected U.S.-Iran talks