Iran has "increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," intel chief warns
Director 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."
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton has warned that Iran has significantly ramped up its efforts to target U.S. personnel abroad. According to an unclassified memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the plots to kill Americans have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. The memo, obtained by CBS News, does not specify particular targets or locations, nor does it indicate if attacks may be imminent.
The intelligence community is working to share this sensitive information more widely with State Department staff. The U.S. is adjusting staffing at diplomatic posts in the region due to concerns about threats from Iran and its Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The military has also been reducing its presence in the Middle East.
The State Department has ordered non-essential staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, and several embassies have shifted to restricted operations status, allowing them to reduce personnel without formally departing. Houthi militants have intensified drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, with one strike killing at least a dozen people, including a U.S. citizen.
Despite the recent absence of direct confrontation, President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after the upcoming midterm elections.
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- US intelligence chief says Iran 'increases efforts' to target Americans middleeasteye.net
