Iran pursuing advanced plots to target US personnel abroad

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:20 · Archive

US intelligence warns Iran has substantially increased efforts to target American personnel, with plots reaching advanced stages.

The director of national intelligence Jay Clayton warned that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel abroad, with lethal plotting efforts reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. The warning was contained in a memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by CBS News. According to The Mirror, the Iranian plans also include potential targets in Europe.

In response to the threat, the US State Department ordered non-essential American embassy personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the State Department is reducing staffing at four Middle Eastern embassies—in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—placing them under restricted operations status. These embassies will remain open, though unlike Saudi Arabia, staff in these four countries are not compelled to leave.

The memo does not identify specific targets or countries where the alleged plots are underway or indicate whether attacks may be imminent. The US intelligence community is working to downgrade sensitive intelligence so it can be shared more broadly with State Department personnel. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memo. The warning follows concerns about threats from Iran and the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, as the Trump administration weighs resuming military strikes against Iran.

How it is being reported

• Iran 'in advanced stages' of plans to target Americans living in EuropeA new memo has claimed that US agencies have 'received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel' across the world, including in Europe.The Mirror · 24 Oct, 05:57
• Iran has "increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," intel chief warnsDirector of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned in a memo to Secretary of State Rubio that Iran has "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," and the plots have "reached advanced stages."CBS News · 24 Oct, 04:13

In this story: Iran · Jay Clayton · Marco Rubio · John Ratcliffe · United States · Middle East · Europe · Saudi Arabia

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