The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbors it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.

With Iran*s leadership trying to quell the worst domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced, Tehran is seeking to deter U.S. President Donald Trump*s repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was pulling some personnel from ?key bases in the region as a precaution given heightened regional tensions.