World
Iran's Plots To Kill Americans Abroad Reach 'Advanced Stages', US Intelligence Memo Warns
By: News18 World
Published: 24 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>US intelligence has found that Iran has “substantially increased" its efforts to target American personnel, with plots to kill US citizens reaching “advanced stages" in the Middle East and other countries, according to a memo.</p>
<p>The October 23 memo, obtained by Axios, comes as Washington reduces its diplomatic presence across several Middle Eastern countries amid fears of Iranian attacks and the possibility of renewed US and Israeli military action against Tehran.</p>
<p>In a one-page, unclassified memorandum addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned that intelligence agencies had received information indicating an increased threat to American personnel overseas.</p>
<p>“Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel. The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries," Clayton wrote.</p>
<p>Clayton also expressed concern that intelligence about Iranian threats was relevant to more US officials than those currently authorised to receive it.</p>
<p>The memo said the intelligence had already been shared with senior State Department officials, but Clayton stressed the need to make it accessible to additional personnel who could be at risk.</p>
<p>“We will make every effort to downgrade as much intelligence as possible so you can share it with State Department personnel at your discretion," the memo stated.</p>
<p>CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the communication.</p>
<p>US Orders Embassy Staff Reductions Across Middle East</p>
<p>The intelligence assessment is among the factors behind Washington’s decision to reduce personnel at several diplomatic missions across the Middle East, according to Axios.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, the State Department ordered family members and nonessential personnel to leave the US Embassy in Riyadh and its consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>On Friday, similar reductions were ordered at American embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, according to a US official cited by Axios.</p>
<p>“We decided that due to the threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots we need to reduce our footprint and keep only essential staff," the official said.</p>
<p>American officials are also concerned that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen could expand their attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region.</p>
<p>Trump Warns Of Another Military Operation Against Iran</p>
<p>The developments come amid concerns about a possible resumption of US and Israeli military operations against Iran, potentially after the November 3 US midterm elections.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump raised the possibility of further military action during a rally in Florida on Friday, while leaving open the prospect of reaching an agreement with Tehran.</p>
<p>“We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or [the Iranians] will agree [to a deal]," Trump said.</p>
<p>“If they’re smart, they will just say, ‘Let’s get down to business,’ but I doubt they will do that because perhaps they’re not smart."</p>
<p>The war has also become a domestic political concern as rising fuel prices put pressure on American consumers ahead of elections that will determine control of Congress.</p>
<p>A US intelligence memo warned that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target American personnel, with lethal plots reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton issued the memorandum to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the need to share this critical threat intelligence with at-risk personnel.</p>
<p>The State Department ordered family members and nonessential personnel to evacuate embassies and consulates across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. Officials cited the growing threat of Iranian terror plots and potential Houthi attacks against critical infrastructure in the region as the primary reasons for scaling back personnel.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump warned of a possible resumption of US and Israeli military operations against Tehran, mentioning the prospect of another operation like 'Operation Epic Fury' if a deal is not reached. These statements coincided with rising tensions and domestic political concerns regarding fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.</p>
