# U.S. pulls diplomats as Iran strikes loom after midterms

> The U.S. ordered staff out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate and military planners prepare for renewed strikes on Iran after November's elections.
- Title: U.S. pulls diplomats as Iran strikes loom after midterms
- Summary: The U.S. ordered staff out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate and military planners prepare for renewed strikes on Iran after November's elections…
- Keywords: iran, saudi arabia, houthis, israel, military strikes, strait of hormuz, oil prices, diplomacy, business, finance, pulls, diplomats
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/10/22/us-iran-trump-hormuz-.html
- Author: Anniek Bao
- Published: 2026-10-22T04:26:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, saudi arabia, houthis, israel, military strikes, strait of hormuz, oil prices, diplomacy, business, finance
## U.S. evacuates Saudi diplomats
The U.S. ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks on the kingdom escalate. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott cited increasing attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on civilian targets.
## Houthis strike Saudi targets
A strike Wednesday on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed at least one person and injured eight.Two people died in a drone attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
## U.S. and Israel plan Iran strikes
The U.S.and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the November three midterm elections, according to The New York Times.Planning for a short but intensive operation is progressing.

> short but intensive
## Strikes would target Iran's arsenal
The renewed military strikes would likely target Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal, according to The New York Times. President Donald Trump has yet to approve the fresh strikes.
## Iran vows wider retaliation
Iranian officials have vowed to widen their attacks to target data centers and undersea internet cables, while refusing concessions on their nuclear program. Negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz continue.
## Oil prices rise on escalation fears
Brent crude futures topped one hundred ten dollars a barrel as tensions escalate.West Texas Intermediate gained one percent to ninety eight point one two dollars.Recovering appetite for crude from China could drive oil prices higher.
## Key takeaway

The U.S. evacuated non-emergency diplomats from Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks intensify and the U.S. and Israel plan potential strikes on Iran after the November third midterms.