US intelligence memo warns of advanced Iranian plots targeting officials in Middle East

The US news site Axios has reported that American intelligence agencies have detected a significant increase in Iranian efforts to target US diplomats and officials in the Middle East and elsewhere, with assassination plots said to have reached "advanced stages."

Axios published a one-page, unclassified memo dated October 23, sent by US Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio. The memo stated: "We have received intelligence through various channels indicating that Iran has significantly increased its efforts to target US personnel."

The memo explained that information about these plots "pertains to a larger number of individuals currently authorized to access it," and that it has already been delivered to senior State Department officials. Clayton offered to further declassify as much information as possible so Rubio could share it with at-risk staff.

The memo did not specify potential targets, the countries involved outside the Middle East, or the nature of the plots.

Axios cited US officials as saying this intelligence was among the reasons the State Department has reduced staff numbers at several of its embassies in the region.

A US official said: "Due to the threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terrorist plots, we decided to reduce our presence and retain only essential staff."

According to Axios, US officials fear that the Houthi militia could expand its attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region, amid the possibility of renewed US and Israeli military operations against Iran, potentially after the midterm elections.

US President Donald Trump said at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday: "We might carry out another small 'Epic Rage' operation, or they might agree to a deal." He added: "If they are smart, they will say: let's get to work, but I doubt they will, because maybe they're not smart."