Iran has substantially increased efforts to target Americans abroad, US intelligence memo warns
A US intelligence memo has warned that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target American citizens and officials abroad, with plots to kill Americans reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent the memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. US officials confirmed the authenticity of the unclassified memo, which was first reported by Axios and later obtained by Fox News.
The memo states that through various channels, intelligence has been received that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel, and that Iranian lethal plotting against US citizens has reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.
The memo came just days after the State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
A US official said the government continually monitors and evaluates evolving security threats, and constantly evaluates new information about the security environment when deciding embassy staffing. The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting US officials is informing decisions on staffing adjustments for embassies in the region, the official said.
The memo also states that intelligence officials will work to downgrade the classification of certain intelligence so it can be disseminated and shared with State Department personnel, a step aimed at warning diplomats and staff directly in the field.
Earlier this week, the State Department clarified reports that it had directed nonessential personnel and their dependents to leave the entire Gulf region, saying the departure order applies only to Saudi Arabia. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said claims of a potential broader regional shutdown were inaccurate.
The department had previously renewed its warning to Americans traveling in and through the Middle East in late September. The latest warning came as Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched several missile attacks toward Saudi Arabia.
The intelligence report on Iranian efforts to target US diplomats and officials in the Middle East also comes as President Donald Trump continues to weigh another round of military strikes against Iran if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington.
With uncertainty over diplomacy on one side and embassy staffing cuts and travel warnings on the other, tensions around the US presence in the Middle East have risen further. Earlier warnings also advised Americans overseas to keep a low profile.
Attention now turns to Washington's next steps. Once the downgraded intelligence reaches embassies, any further changes to staffing or security will be the main signal of where the situation is heading.
