Iran Intensifies Targeting of U.S. Officials, Intelligence Chief Warns
U.S. intelligence warns of Irans increased efforts to target American officials, prompting diplomatic staff reductions in the region.
Washington, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : U.S. intelligence officials have raised alarms about Iran’s escalating attempts to target American personnel. In a recent unclassified memo, Director of National Intelligence J. Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio that some lethal plots have reached advanced stages. This warning comes as Washington has decided to withdraw diplomats from Saudi Arabia and reduce staff at several other embassies in the region.
According to Axios, the memo dated October 23 also reached CIA Director John Ratcliffe. It revealed that Iran’s efforts to harm U.S. personnel have significantly intensified, particularly in the Middle East and other nations.
While the memo did not specify the individuals or countries targeted, it indicated that the nature of these plots is concerning. This intelligence has already been shared with senior officials at the State Department. Clayton proposed lowering the classification level of the memo to share it with a broader audience within the State Department. A U.S. official confirmed the existence of the memo.
The official stated, “We continuously assess new information regarding the security environment for our staff at embassies. The threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terrorist plots targeting U.S. officials are influencing our decisions to adjust staff numbers at embassies operating under ‘RO Status’ (limited operational status).”
Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential personnel to leave the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. On Friday, staff reductions also occurred at U.S. embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN reported, citing the Jerusalem Post, that these reductions extended to Bahrain and Kuwait, with diplomats describing the situation as “chaotic.”
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott clarified that the order to withdraw staff applies “only to Saudi Arabia.” This warning comes amid President Donald Trump’s reiteration of keeping military action on the table. During a rally in Florida on Friday, Trump mentioned, “We may conduct another small ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ or Iran may comply.”
NBC News reported on October 21 that the U.S. military is quietly reducing troop numbers at its bases in the Middle East.
