US intelligence warns that Iran has advanced assassination plans targeting American diplomats and officials

US intelligence agencies warn that Iran has substantially intensified its efforts to target American diplomats and officials, including through assassination plans that have reached advanced stages. The information appears in an unclassified memorandum sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 23 and obtained by Axios.

The document, signed by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, does not specify the targets, the countries targeted outside the Middle East, or the nature of the plots. Clayton proposed lowering the classification level so the warning could be distributed to a larger number of at-risk American employees.

Amid Iranian threats and the risk that Tehran-backed Houthi rebels could expand their attacks, the State Department is reducing staffing at several missions. The families of diplomats and nonessential personnel have been withdrawn from Saudi Arabia, while similar measures have been ordered in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan.

Washington fears the outbreak of a regional conflict and the resumption of military operations against Iran. President Donald Trump has even raised the possibility of a new US operation if Tehran does not agree to a deal.