U.S. intelligence has determined that Iranian plots to kill Americans abroad have reached “advanced stages,” according to a memo sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The warning is one of the key factors driving a significant reduction in U.S. diplomatic staffing across the Middle East.
The unclassified October 23 memorandum, obtained by Axios and confirmed as authentic by U.S. officials to multiple outlets including CNN, lays out a stark picture. “Through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel,” Clayton wrote. “The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.”
The memo also copied CIA Director John Ratcliffe and noted that the intelligence was relevant to more State Department personnel than were currently cleared to receive it. Clayton offered to downgrade as much of the sensitive information as possible so Rubio could share it more broadly. The document did not name specific targets, describe the nature of the plots, or identify which countries outside the Middle East were involved.
A U.S. official told Al Arabiya English Washington correspondent Joseph Haboush that Iranian plots against American officials, combined with threats from Iranian-backed Houthi forces, were directly shaping staffing decisions at U.S. embassies across the region. You can find more details in the U.S. intelligence warning on Iran.
The State Department has already moved aggressively. Earlier this week, Washington ordered nonessential personnel and family members to leave its embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran after intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Friday, the department extended those reductions to embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. We decided that due to the threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots we need to reduce our footprint and keep only essential staff,” a U.S. official said.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps escalated its own rhetoric Thursday, warning that if U.S. forces continued escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, “the conflict will extend to its bases in the region.” Reuters separately reported that two senior Iranian security officials described contingency plans for wider retaliation if the U.S. or Israel resumed strikes, including attacks on undersea communications cables and military installations. “If Iran is attacked, there will be no more red lines,” one official said.
President Donald Trump has not backed away from threats of military action. At a campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida on Friday, Trump warned he could launch another round of Operation Epic Fury if Tehran doesn’t negotiate. “We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” he told the crowd. If they’re smart, they’ll just say, ‘Let’s get down to business.’ But, you know, I doubt they’ll do that because perhaps they’re not smart.” Multiple reports say the administration is weighing renewed strikes possibly after the November midterms, with potential targets including Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, energy infrastructure, and nuclear facilities. No decision has been announced.
For now, the U.S. government is focused on protecting its people overseas while diplomatic and military options remain open. Share your thoughts on this story in the comments below or on social media.
