World
US intelligence warns Iran has advanced lethal plots targeting American officials, diplomats in Middle East: Report
By: Hindustan Times World
Published: 24 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>US intelligence officials have warned that Iran has “substantially increased” efforts to target American diplomats and government personnel. According to an intelligence memo obtained by Axios, some alleged lethal plots have already reached advanced stages. CNN reporter Zachary Cohen also confirmed that the memo is legitimate.</p>
<p>A classified intelligence memo shared with Marco Rubio says Iran has increased efforts to target US personnel in the Middle East and other regions. AP/PTI(AP10_21_2026_000239A) (AP)The warning has prompted the US State Department to reduce staffing at several American diplomatic missions in the Middle East as officials assess the risk of a wider regional conflict with Iran.</p>
<p>The October 23 memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said intelligence agencies had received information showing increased Iranian efforts to target US personnel.</p>
<p>The memo said that the alleged plotting targeted American officials in the Middle East and certain other countries.</p>
<p>The unclassified memo did not identify specific targets, locations outside the Middle East or details about the alleged plots. However, Clayton said the intelligence had already been shared with senior State Department officials within the appropriate security clearances.</p>
<p>In the memo, Clayton also offered to downgrade parts of the intelligence so more State Department person could receive warnings about possible threats. “We will make every effort to downgrade as much intelligence as possible so you can share it with State Department personnel at your discretion.”</p>
<p>The State Department has begun reducing its diplomatic presence at several locations as officials respond to the reported threats.</p>
<p>CNN reported earlier this week, that the department ordered family members and nonessential personnel to leave the US Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>On Friday, officials also ordered reductions in US diplomatic and government personnel at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, an official told 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>US officials are also concerned that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen could expand attacks beyond Saudi Arabia and increase instability across the region. The Houthis have previously targeted commercial shipping and regional military interests during heightened tensions in the Middle East.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump addressed Iran during a rally in Florida on Friday. Trump suggested that Washington could pursue further military action if Tehran does not negotiate.</p>
<p>“We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or [the Iranians] will agree [to a deal],” Trump said. He added that Iran should agree to negotiations if it wants to avoid further confrontation.</p>
<p>Shirin Gupta is a content producer with the Hindustan Times. She covers everything between politics, entertainment and sports at the US desk. Shirin got interested in political journalism during her time as a web editor at her college newspaper NCC News in Syracuse when she first started seeing the effects of national politics in life of her fellow colleagues. Shirin has worked on a wide range of fast-moving and developing stories locally when she was at NCC editing accessible reports for the audience. Her current role requires her to track real-time updates, verify information and present balanced coverage across diverse beats. Covering US politics from an international newsroom perspective has further deepened her understanding of how domestic decisions can have far-reaching global consequences. With a keen interest in international affairs, Shirin continues to build her expertise in geopolitics, policy shifts, and cross-border developments. She aims to learn and evolve her reporting in matters of geopolitics and international issues. Outside the newsroom Shirin writes about books and music for her personal blog. She is an avid consumer of pop culture and reveres literature.Read More</p>
