Iran Increases Threats Against U.S. Personnel Abroad

Iran has intensified efforts to target U.S. personnel overseas. Plots to attack Americans have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other regions. This information was revealed in an intelligence memo obtained by Fox News.

The memo was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. It followed the State Department’s directive for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. This action was due to increased attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The memo states that Iran has “substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel.”

U.S. officials confirmed the memo’s authenticity. The State Department warned Americans overseas to keep a low profile. The memo noted the lethal plotting by Iranians has reached advanced stages both in the Middle East and other countries.

Intelligence officials aim to downgrade the classification of certain intelligence to share it with State Department personnel. A U.S. official stated the government constantly monitors and evaluates security threats.

“When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we continually assess security environments,” said the official. “Threats from Houthi attacks and Iranian plots inform our decisions on staffing at embassies in the region.”

The report on Iranian threats coincides with President Donald Trump’s consideration of new military strikes against Iran if no agreement with Washington is reached.

The State Department recently clarified its order directing nonessential personnel and their families to leave the entire Gulf region only applies to Saudi Arabia. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said any broader regional shutdown claims were inaccurate.

The U.S. Department of State renewed its warning to Americans traveling in the Middle East in late September. The warning followed Iran-backed Houthi missile attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia.