Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned in a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iranian plots to kill U.S. citizens have reached "advanced stages" in the Middle East and certain other countries. The unclassified memo is dated Friday, October 23, and was first reported by Axios. U.S. officials confirmed its authenticity, according to NBC News and Fox News.
"Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel," Clayton wrote, according to Reuters. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memo. CBS News and Protothema reported that the memo does not identify specific targets or name the countries involved, and does not indicate whether attacks may be imminent.
Clayton wrote that the risk is relevant to more people than are currently cleared to receive the information. He said intelligence agencies would try to downgrade as much of it as possible so Rubio could share it with State Department personnel at his discretion.
The State Department is adjusting staffing across the region. On Wednesday, October 21, it ordered non-emergency employees and family members to leave U.S. missions in Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters and NBC News. NBC News reported that further staff reductions were ordered at posts in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan, which were already on "restricted operations" status. A U.S. official told several outlets that the threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials is informing those decisions. Fox News reported that State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott called claims of a broader Gulf-wide departure order "inaccurate."
The U.S. military has also been quietly reducing its presence at bases in the region, NBC News and CBS News reported, citing U.S. officials. CBS News reported that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified, including a strike earlier this month on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport that killed at least a dozen people, including a U.S. citizen. On Saturday, the State Department updated travel advisories for more than a dozen countries, Reuters reported.
The memo comes as President Donald Trump considers further action against Iran. At a rally in Florida on Friday, he said, "We may do another little Epic Fury," referring to the campaign launched in February. NBC News reported that military options presented to him include strikes on nuclear facility entrances and on islands such as Kharg and Qeshm. CBS News reported that the U.S. and Iran have refrained from striking each other in recent weeks. Midterm elections are set for November 3, and the Iran war is nearing its ninth month, Reuters reported.
