Clayton Sends Rubio Memo Warning of Lethal Iranian Plots
The unclassified memo, dated October 23, follows Axios's report on the document and coincides with State Department drawdowns across the region.
By Ahmed Peterson ·
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio a memorandum dated October 23 warning that Iranian efforts to target American personnel have intensified, with a copy to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. A US official confirmed on Friday that Rubio received the document, a day after Axios reported on it.
The memo states that US intelligence agencies collected information through multiple channels showing Iran has substantially increased its pursuit of American targets. Clayton wrote that lethal plotting efforts against US citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. The document is marked unclassified and does not identify targets, attack methods, or countries outside the Middle East where plots are being developed.
Clayton said the intelligence about threats to government personnel applies to a wider set of people than those currently cleared to receive it. He noted that the underlying information was shared with cleared senior members of Rubio's team and offered the secretary an additional briefing. Clayton also said he would work to downgrade the classification of as much of the intelligence as possible so Rubio can share it with State Department staff who could be at risk.
The warning arrives as the State Department reduces its footprint in several Middle Eastern countries, citing Iranian retaliation concerns and the possibility of renewed US military operations against Tehran. Earlier this week, Washington ordered nonessential government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia after attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis escalated. Axios reported that further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN reported on Friday that the United States was speeding departures of diplomats and families from several regional posts, some of whom had recently returned after evacuations earlier in the Iran war.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States could carry out another operation like Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," Trump said. CNN reported that Israel urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner, but those efforts had not succeeded so far.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
