Iranian Plots Against US Citizens Reach Advanced Stage, Intelligence Chief Says

American diplomatic staff are facing heightened risks as intelligence agencies confirm a surge in Iranian planning against US personnel. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio received a formal warning on Friday regarding the threat level.

The confirmation followed a report by Axios, which had obtained the underlying document. The memorandum is dated October 23. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent it to Rubio, with a copy going to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The document states that lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other locations.

Clayton noted that the information comes from multiple intelligence channels. He wrote that Iran has substantially intensified its push to target American personnel. The memo emphasized that these plans are not just theoretical but are in advanced stages of development. This represents a significant escalation in the perceived threat to US citizens living and working abroad.

The Director of National Intelligence cautioned that the intelligence is relevant to a wider group than those currently cleared. The underlying data had already been shared with senior members of Rubio's team who hold appropriate clearances. Clayton offered the secretary an additional briefing to discuss the details. He also promised to make every effort to downgrade the classification of the intelligence. This change would allow Rubio to share the warning more widely with State Department staff who might be at risk.

The memo itself was marked unclassified. It did not name specific targets, attack methods, or countries outside the Middle East where plots are being developed. This lack of specific detail in the public release keeps the focus on the overall trend rather than specific incidents. The warning serves as a prompt for the State Department to review its security protocols in high-risk regions.

This development coincides with the State Department scaling back its diplomatic presence in several Middle Eastern countries. The department cites fears of Iranian retaliation and the possibility of renewed US military operations. Earlier this week, Washington ordered nonessential government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia. This move followed an escalation in attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.

CNN reported on Friday that the United States is speeding up the departure of diplomats and their families from several regional posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned after evacuations earlier in the Iran war. The network added that Israel had urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner. However, those efforts have not succeeded so far, leaving the diplomatic and military options open.

President Donald Trump kept the possibility of further military action on the table during remarks on Friday. He stated that the United States could carry out another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. Trump said, 'We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree.' The memo underscores growing US concern for the safety of American diplomatic personnel as Washington weighs additional military options while continuing diplomatic efforts to secure a deal with Iran.