Iran Targets US Officials Abroad? Intelligence Memo Warns Rubio Of Advanced Assassination Plots
The United States has warned of an increase in alleged Iranian efforts to target American diplomats and officials overseas, with some suspected assassination plots reportedly reaching advanced stages, as Washington reduces diplomatic staffing across West Asia amid growing security concerns.
A one-page, unclassified intelligence memo dated October 23 and addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio flagged a substantial increase in Iran's alleged efforts to target American officials, according to a report by Axios, which obtained the document.
The memo, issued by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, recommended sharing information about the alleged plots with a wider group of US personnel who could face potential threats. However, it did not identify specific targets, countries or operational details.
The warning comes as the US State Department scales back staffing at several American diplomatic missions across West Asia. Earlier this week, Washington ordered the departure of family members and nonessential personnel from the US Embassy in Riyadh and its consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, all in Saudi Arabia.
On Friday, the department ordered further reductions in US diplomatic and government personnel at American missions in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, according to a US official.
The official cited concerns over alleged Iranian plots and possible attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels as reasons for reducing the US presence in the region. American officials are also concerned that the Houthis could expand their campaign beyond Saudi Arabia and target other countries in West Asia.
Clayton offered to lower the classification of as much sensitive intelligence as possible to enable Rubio to circulate the warning among a wider group of potentially affected officials.
The intelligence alert comes amid renewed threats of military action against Iran by US President Donald Trump. Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, Trump said Washington could launch another round of military operations, referring to a possible Operation Epic Fury, or Tehran could agree to a deal with the United States.
"If they're smart, they will just say, 'Let's get down to business,'" Trump said, adding that he doubted Iran's leadership would take that approach.
In February, the US and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury. According to the account provided, the attacks killed Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family.
Trump also referred to Operation Midnight Hammer, the US operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. He claimed that Washington had severely damaged Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and defeated the country militarily and financially.