U.S. orders staff to leave Saudi Arabia as Iran war spreads and oil surges above $110

Group 1 - The U.S. government ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia due to heightened risks from armed conflict and terrorism, marking the first such departure order since the war began [2] - Oil prices surged above $110 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate increasing by approximately 30% to $117 per barrel and Brent crude rising over 25% to $118 per barrel, reflecting market reactions to the escalating conflict [4][5] - The conflict in Iran has led to significant geopolitical tensions, with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as a new authority consolidating control over hardline groups, raising concerns about potential military actions from the U.S. [3] Group 2 - The U.S. is considering deploying special forces to seize Iran's near-bomb-grade uranium, indicating a potential escalation in military involvement in the region [4] - The last time oil prices exceeded $110 per barrel was following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, highlighting the historical context of current price movements [5]