World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
US intelligence chief warns Iran is stepping up threats to Americans
US intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned that Iran has stepped up efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and elsewhere.
In a memo sent Friday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said plots against US citizens had reached advanced stages.
The warning comes as Washington reduces staff at some embassies in the region and has ordered non-essential staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
US officials say the changes reflect threats from Iran and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified, including a missile strike on Riyadh’s airport that killed 13 people, according to Saudi authorities.
The wider conflict grew after US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, followed by Iranian strikes on US allies in the region.
The affected embassies will remain open, and US officials say they will keep reviewing security information and staffing levels.
US intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel in the Middle East and elsewhere.
A memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian plots against US citizens had reached advanced stages.
The warning comes as the State Department adjusts staffing at diplomatic posts in the region amid threats from Iran and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
Non-emergency US embassy staff and their families were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, while staffing was reduced at four other embassies.
- Who
- US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton issued the warning about Iran.
- What
- He said Iran had substantially increased efforts to target US personnel and that plots against US citizens had reached advanced stages.
- When
- Clayton sent the memo on Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The warning concerns the Middle East and certain other countries.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran, according to the BBC.
A missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport killed 13 people and injured 308 others, according to the BBC.
Washington ordered non-emergency US embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
Clayton sent Rubio a memo warning that Iranian efforts to target US personnel had increased and that plots had reached advanced stages.
- Memo sender
- Jay Clayton, US national intelligence chief
- Memo recipient
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Saudi airport strike
- 13 killed and 308 injured on October 10
- Embassies with reduced staffing
- Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates
- Saudi posts covered by departure order
- Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran
4 sources
Iran trying harder to target US personnel in Middle East, intelligence chief warns
US intel warns Iran has ‘substantially increased’ efforts to kill American officials
U.S. spy chief warns Iran has ramped up efforts to target Americans
VS: Iran heeft vergevorderde plannen voor dodelijke aanvallen op Amerikaanse diplomaten
What people are saying
We have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel
The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against US citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.
The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting US officials are informing our decisions on staffing adjustments for embassies on [Restricted Operations] Status in the region.
We may do another little Epic Fury
Posts on X
🚨Scoop: U.S. intelligence finds Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target American diplomats & officials in the Middle East and beyond, with lethal plots reaching "advanced stages," per memo to Secretary of State Rubio. My story on @axios https://t.co/JpDxTvWdpT