U.S. Warns of Iranian Plots

PHOTO CAPTION: An archival photograph shows the U.S. Embassy chancery building in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1986. The State Department has ordered certain American government personnel and family members to depart Saudi Arabia amid growing regional security threats. An October 23, 2026, U.S. intelligence memorandum also warns that Iranian plots targeting Americans overseas have reached advanced stages. (Archival photograph, U.S. National Archives/Department of State)

U.S. intelligence officials have warned that Iran is advancing plans to kill Americans overseas, with alleged plots reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries, according to an October 23 memorandum sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton issued the warning as the State Department reduced staffing at American diplomatic facilities across the region amid escalating threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militant groups.

The one-page, unclassified memorandum was first obtained by Axios and subsequently reviewed or independently obtained by CBS News and Reuters.

It says the intelligence community has received information through multiple channels indicating that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. government personnel.

The document does not identify specific intended victims, disclose the countries where plots are underway outside the Middle East, or establish when an attack could occur.

Intelligence Chief Warns of Advanced Lethal Plots

Clayton addressed the October 23 memorandum to Rubio, who also serves as the president's national security adviser.

The document, titled "Downgrading of Intelligence Information and Analysis with Regard to Lethal Plotting Against Americans in the Middle East and Certain Other Countries," describes an increase in Iranian efforts to target U.S. personnel overseas.

According to the memorandum, lethal plots involving Americans have progressed to advanced stages.

Clayton also warned that existing restrictions on sharing intelligence could prevent some American officials from receiving information relevant to their safety.

He said intelligence about Iranian activity had already been provided to appropriately cleared senior State Department officials.

The intelligence community offered to reduce classification restrictions on additional information so the department could share warnings with a broader group of employees.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memorandum.

Although the document is unclassified, it does not contain the underlying intelligence reports, identify specific plotters or describe planned methods of attack.

State Department Reduces Personnel Across Middle East

The warning comes amid a series of security precautions affecting American diplomatic missions.

On October 21, the State Department announced the ordered departure of nonemergency U.S. government employees and their families from Saudi Arabia.

The measures cover American diplomatic personnel in the kingdom, including the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.

Other U.S. missions across the Middle East have also adjusted staffing, including facilities in Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

Some locations are operating under restricted operations status, which allows the State Department to reduce personnel and services without ordering a complete evacuation.

A U.S. official told CBS News that threats from Iranian plots and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces were influencing those decisions.

The military has also adjusted its regional staffing and deployments in response to the security environment, according to U.S. officials.

The staffing changes do not establish that any particular embassy has been identified as the target of a specific assassination plot.

Houthi Attacks Add to Security Concerns

The intelligence warning comes during an extended regional conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February 2026.

Iran and Iranian-backed armed groups have carried out attacks across the region during the subsequent fighting.

Houthi militants in Yemen have intensified missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting infrastructure including airports and energy facilities.

American officials say those attacks have increased risks to diplomatic personnel and civilians.

The State Department updated its Saudi Arabia travel advisory October 23, maintaining a Level 3 recommendation for Americans to reconsider travel.

The advisory cites armed conflict, terrorism, missile and drone attacks, and threats to American interests.

It also reflects security concerns involving Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials.

Those warnings are separate from the specific assassination intelligence described in Clayton's memorandum, although officials say both have informed their protective measures.

Warning Arrives as Trump Considers New Strikes

The intelligence disclosure comes as the Trump administration considers whether to expand military operations against Iran.

President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could conduct additional strikes if negotiations fail to produce an agreement.

At a Florida campaign rally Friday, Trump raised the possibility of another military operation while also describing diplomacy as an option.

CNN separately reported Sunday that American forces already positioned in the Middle East could begin a substantial new operation against Iran within 96 hours of receiving a presidential order.

According to that reporting, potential targets include Iranian military installations and other strategic infrastructure.

No final authorization for a new major strike campaign has been publicly confirmed.

American officials are weighing the possibility of Iranian retaliation against U.S. troops, diplomatic personnel and facilities if additional strikes occur.

However, the intelligence memorandum does not publicly establish that the alleged assassination plots depend on a new American attack.

What the Intelligence Does Not Reveal

While the memorandum describes Iranian lethal plotting as advanced, it provides little public detail about the alleged operations.

It does not disclose the identities or positions of intended victims, name the countries outside the Middle East where plots may be developing, or specify whether an operation is imminent.

Nor does it say whether intelligence agencies have disrupted any of the alleged plots.

The underlying intelligence has not been released for independent public examination.

The distinction matters because an intelligence warning about advanced planning does not establish that an attack will occur.

Nevertheless, the disclosure shows that senior U.S. intelligence officials considered the information significant enough to notify the secretary of state and seek broader dissemination to personnel abroad.

What Happens Next

The State Department is continuing to evaluate security conditions and staffing requirements at its diplomatic missions.

Additional reductions, travel restrictions or security measures remain possible if new intelligence indicates increased risk.

The intelligence community is also working to make more of the relevant threat information available to officials who may need it.

For American military personnel, diplomats and their families stationed overseas, the warning adds another concern to an already dangerous regional security environment.

The central development is that U.S. intelligence officials are warning about specific lethal plotting, even though the details of those alleged operations remain undisclosed.

Whether the threats result in attempted attacks, further security restrictions or additional American military action remains unknown.

(Source: OAF Nation)