What the intelligence memo says
Iran has stepped up efforts to target U.S. personnel in the Middle East and in other countries, according to a memo that Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. The memo warned that "the lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages." Axios first reported the document, and a U.S. official confirmed its authenticity to NBC News.
Clayton also told Rubio that the risk is "relevant to more individuals than are currently cleared to receive this information." He added: "We will make every effort to downgrade as much intelligence as possible so you can share it with State Department personnel at your discretion."
Staffing cuts at embassies and bases
The warning follows reporting by NBC News, based on sources, that the U.S. military has been quietly reducing its troop presence at bases across the Middle East. A State Department official said the department has ordered further staff reductions at several diplomatic posts in the region, including in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. Those posts were already on "restricted operations" status and have operated with limited staffing since the start of the war.
On Wednesday, chiefs of mission at multiple posts were told their missions would begin operating with reduced staff, according to two U.S. officials. The State Department also announced that the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is under "ordered departure," meaning it will run only with emergency staff.
The current reductions resemble drawdowns that the Defense and State departments began around the start of the war with Iran in February. "When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment," a U.S. official said. The official added that the threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots against U.S. officials is informing the adjustments. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on X that "the safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority."
Trump weighs new action against Iran
President Donald Trump said this week that he is considering another operation against Iran, following months of strikes on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and limited progress toward a long-term ceasefire. "We may do another little Epic Fury," he told a rally in Florida on Friday, using the U.S. name for the initial wave of strikes. "If they're smart, they'll just say, let's get down to business," he said.
His remarks came after senior military officials presented him with options for new strikes. According to one U.S. official and a former U.S. official with knowledge of the options, they include major strikes on the tunnels or entrances of Iran's nuclear facilities, such as Pickaxe Mountain, or on strategic islands. The officials said possible targets include Kharg Island, home to the vast majority of Iran's oil production, and Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz.
Stalled diplomacy
Iran proposed a fresh deal last month to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days. Trump publicly rejected it without giving a specific reason, saying Iran wanted a deal "because they're losing so badly." He also accused Iran of trying to drive up oil prices ahead of the midterm elections.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded: "We don't care about U.S. midterm elections. We care about our national interests."
