US spy chief tells Rubio Iran is targeting US staff

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iranian efforts to kill American officials have intensified. The intelligence memorandum, dated October 23, states that lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries.

The document was sent to Rubio with a copy going to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. A US official confirmed the memo's existence following a report by Axios, which first obtained the text. Clayton wrote that multiple intelligence channels show Iran has substantially increased its push to target US personnel.

Clayton noted that the information regarding plots against government staff is relevant to a wider group than those currently cleared to receive it. He said the underlying details had already been shared with senior, cleared members of Rubio's team. The DNI also offered Rubio an additional briefing and promised to work on downgrading the classification of the intelligence. This step would allow the State Department to share the warning with more staff who might be at risk.

The memo was marked unclassified. It did not name specific targets, attack methods, or countries outside the Middle East where plots are developing. This warning arrives as the State Department reduces its diplomatic presence in the region. Washington ordered nonessential employees and families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week after attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Axios reported that staff reductions were also ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN reported on Friday that the US is speeding up departures from several regional posts. Some of these diplomats had recently returned after evacuations during the earlier Iran war. The network added that Israel has urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran, though those efforts have not yet succeeded.

President Donald Trump kept the option of further military action open during remarks on Friday. He said the United States could conduct another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," Trump said.