US Intelligence Warns of Advanced Iranian Plots, Embassy Staff Reduced in Middle East

The United States has reduced personnel at several Middle Eastern embassies amid warnings from U.S. intelligence that Iran has "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," according to an unclassified memo.

The memo, dated October 23, was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. Clayton stated that the intelligence, received through "various channels," indicated that "lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries."

A U.S. official confirmed the memo's contents to the Daily Mail. In response to potential escalations, the U.S. has adjusted staffing at American embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Non-emergency government employees and their family members were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

"When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment," a U.S. official told the Daily Mail. "The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials are informing our decisions on staffing adjustments for embassies on [restricted operations status] in the region."

Unlike Saudi Arabia, staff in the four other countries mentioned have not been ordered to depart, but will see "temporary changes" in staffing levels under restricted operations. No changes have been made to personnel levels in Kuwait and Bahrain.

A State Department official referenced a security alert from October 18, which noted that Iranian-backed Houthis had attacked civilian airports and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, stating that "hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area."

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe was also copied on the memo to Rubio. The American Foreign Service Association noted that families in the region were "understandably upset, confused and angry," with some having recently resettled after previous departures.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing options for continued strikes on Iran following the midterm elections, though a final decision has not been made. President Trump has indicated a possibility of further action, stating, "There's also a possibility we'll have a nice big beautiful agreement."

Secretary of State Rubio was informed in the October 23 memo that Iran had "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel."

The State Department has issued Level 4: Do Not Travel advisories for Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, citing threats.

Plans reportedly include striking Iranian nuclear facilities, infrastructure, and islands controlled by Iran. President Trump commented at a rally in Florida that "we may do another little [Operation] Epic Fury," referring to strikes that began the war in February.