World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
US memo warns of advanced Iranian plots against Americans abroad
A US intelligence memo says Iran has stepped up efforts to target US personnel abroad.
It warns that plots against Americans have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and some other countries.
The memo, sent by National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, does not name targets or identify the countries beyond the Middle East.
The US has ordered non-emergency government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, while officials say security information is being assessed as embassy staffing decisions are made.
WWE’s Crown Jewel event is still planned for November 7 in Riyadh, despite the security concerns.
TKO chief Ari Emanuel said a team is monitoring the situation daily and considering where the event could move if needed.
The event’s plans could change if security conditions worsen, but no cancellation or move has been announced.
A U.S. intelligence memo warned that Iranian efforts to target U.S. personnel had reached advanced stages.
The warning has raised security concerns ahead of WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
TKO executive chairman and CEO Ari Emanuel said plans for the event on November 7 were still in place, with security monitored daily.
The United States ordered nonessential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave the country on Wednesday.
Officials said intelligence about Iranian plots was among the reasons for reducing staffing at several U.S. embassies in the Middle East.
- Who
- U.S. intelligence officials warned about Iranian efforts to target U.S. personnel. WWE and TKO are planning the Crown Jewel event.
- What
- A U.S. memo warned that Iranian plots had reached advanced stages, raising security concerns around the event.
- When
- The memo was dated October 23. Crown Jewel is planned for November 7.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The warning concerns U.S. personnel in the Middle East and beyond.
- Why
- U.S. intelligence indicated that Iran had increased efforts to target U.S. personnel, while Houthi attacks also contributed to regional security concerns.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United States ordered nonessential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave the country.
A U.S. intelligence memo addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of advanced Iranian plots targeting U.S. personnel.
A U.S. official confirmed the memo’s existence, according to the New York Times as reported by Wrestling Observer.
WWE’s Crown Jewel event is planned to take place in Riyadh.
- Memo date
- October 23
- Memo recipient
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Event
- WWE Crown Jewel
- Event location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Event date
- November 7
- Event plans
- Ari Emanuel said they were still in place, with daily monitoring
3 sources
What people are saying
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.
Right now, everything is still set.
We have a whole team kind of working on this, and if that doesn’t happen, where we can move it. It’s a daily monitoring.
The threat posed by Houthi attacks and Iranian terrorist plots targeting American officials is taken into account when making our decisions regarding adjustments to the number of staff at embassies subject to mandatory departure (RO) status in the region.