Iran plots against Americans reach advanced stages

Washington has long tracked Iranian activity against American interests abroad, but recent intelligence indicates the threat has escalated in scale and proximity to execution.

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton told Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel overseas. The unclassified memo states that lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the communication. The document does not name specific targets or countries, nor does it indicate if any attack is imminent. Clayton noted that the intelligence community is working to declassify sensitive information so it can be shared more widely with State Department staff.

The warning arrives as the administration weighs resuming military strikes against Iran. Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. Several other U.S. embassies in the region shifted to restricted operations status, allowing them to reduce staffing without a formal departure order. A U.S. official said the department constantly evaluates the security environment. Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots are shaping staffing decisions at these posts. Military officials confirmed the armed forces have been quietly shrinking their presence at Middle East posts due to continuing threats.

Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and airports. A strike on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport earlier this month killed several people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds. U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries took precautionary steps last weekend in response. Although the United States and Iran have avoided direct strikes in recent weeks, President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after the midterm elections next month. Iran continues to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump suggested another military operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, the president said, "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree." He was referring to the U.S. military campaign launched in February.