US intelligence warns Iran may be plotting assassinations of American officials
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US intelligence has determined that Iran has significantly stepped up its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond. Moreover, these deadly plots have reached an advanced stage, according to Axios.
The agency obtained an internal memo stating that US Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the threat from Iran.
He emphasized that the information should be shared with a wider range of US officials than just those currently authorized to receive it.
The memo does not specify particular targets, countries outside the Middle East, or the nature of the plots. However, it notes that the original information had already been shared with senior State Department officials.
Clayton proposed reducing the classification level of the intelligence to the lowest possible level so that Rubio could share it with a wider circle of individuals who are potentially at risk.
Earlier this week, the US State Department ordered family members and non-essential personnel to leave the US Embassy in Riyadh, as well as the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
Also on Friday, October 23, the department ordered a reduction in the number of US diplomatic and government personnel at embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.
According to sources, US intelligence is one of the reasons why Washington is reducing the presence of its diplomats in Middle Eastern countries. Moreover, this is all happening amid fears of a larger regional conflict.
"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.
Renewed war in Middle East threat
On October 22, Yemeni Houthis carried out attacks on military facilities and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. In particular, the country's Ministry of Defense building was targeted.
Media reports also indicated that US President Donald Trump may soon launch a new phase of the war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Israel is lobbying for more decisive action, but so far without success.
