Iran accelerates plots against US personnel

The intelligence community has signaled a sharp escalation in Iranian activities aimed at American personnel stationed outside the United States. In an unclassified memo dated Friday, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target U.S. citizens abroad.

Clayon stated that these lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. The memo was shared with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was copied on the correspondence. While the document confirms the progression of these threats, it does not identify specific targets or name the countries where the plots are developing. It also does not specify whether an attack is imminent.

To improve coordination, Clayton noted that the intelligence community is working to declassify sensitive information gathered through various channels. This step is intended to allow State Department staff to access critical details more readily. The memo arrives at a time when the Trump administration is evaluating whether to resume military strikes against Iran.

Security measures at American diplomatic and military sites have tightened in response to the heightened threat. Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. Several other U.S. embassies in the region moved to restricted operations status, a designation that allows them to reduce staffing levels without formally ordering a departure.

A U.S. official told CBS News on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information regarding the security environment. The official explained that threats from Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots are shaping staffing decisions at embassies currently under restricted operations. Military officials also reported that the armed forces have been quietly shrinking their presence at posts in the Middle East due to continuing threats.

Iran-backed Houthi militants have recently targeted oil infrastructure and airports in Saudi Arabia. One strike on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh earlier this month killed a U.S. citizen and others while injuring hundreds. In response, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took additional security steps last weekend.

President Trump suggested another military operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, he said, "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree." The president referred to the U.S. military campaign launched in February, noting that the United States and Iran have avoided direct strikes in recent weeks. Iran has continued to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.