Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton has warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iranian efforts to target and kill U.S. officials have escalated significantly, with some plots reaching advanced stages. The declassified memo, dated Friday, was confirmed by a U.S. official and first reported by Axios.
Clayton's message, obtained by NewsNation, states that intelligence indicates Iran has "substantially increased" its attempts to harm American personnel, both in the Middle East and in other countries. The warning comes days after the State Department ordered the departure of nonessential staff from Saudi Arabia, amid a surge in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
State Department evacuation and regional tensions
The State Department's decision to pull some diplomats from Saudi Arabia reflects growing concerns about the security environment. A department spokesperson said Wednesday that "hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly, including beyond that immediate area." The memo does not explicitly reference the evacuation, but the timing is notable.
The Houthis have intensified their campaign against civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including multiple airport attacks that have killed and wounded civilians. Saudi officials reported that their military intercepted another strike aimed at the holy city of Medina on Wednesday.
The conflict is rooted in Yemen's civil war, where Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, are fighting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The U.S. military's involvement in the region has amplified the war's impact across the Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia bearing the brunt of Houthi offensives due to its close ties with Washington.
This is not the first time Iranian threats have prompted security adjustments. The warning to Rubio underscores the persistent danger facing U.S. diplomats and military personnel in the region. Secretary Rubio has been at the center of other national security matters, including recent discussions about Ukraine, but this memo highlights the direct threats to American lives.
Intelligence officials have long tracked Iranian plotting, but Clayton's memo suggests a worrying uptick. The phrase "advanced stages" indicates that some operations may be nearing execution, raising the stakes for U.S. counterintelligence and security measures.
The State Department has not publicly detailed the specific threats, but the decision to reduce staff in Saudi Arabia is a clear signal of heightened risk. Lawmakers have also faced security scares in recent weeks, though those incidents appear unrelated to Iranian plots.
The memo also comes amid broader tensions with Iran over its nuclear program and regional proxies. Other threats have emerged from different actors, but Iran remains a top concern for U.S. officials.
As the situation evolves, American personnel in the Middle East are on high alert. The full scope of the Iranian plotting remains classified, but Clayton's warning to Rubio is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by U.S. officials abroad.
