Increased Threats from Iran Targeting U.S. Personnel, Warns DNI
The Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, has issued a warning about a rise in Iranian efforts aimed at U.S. personnel, stating that some dangerous plots against Americans in the region have progressed significantly.
In a memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, which was later made public by various news outlets, Clayton outlined the alarming intelligence that shows Iran ramping up its targeting of U.S. citizens. Axios was the first to break the news and shared the details of the memo.
The memo noted, “Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel.” Clayton added, “The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.”
Clayton emphasized his commitment to ensuring that as much relevant intelligence as possible would be downgraded for dissemination to State Department officials.
He stated, “Recognizing the safety of U.S. government personnel abroad is a top priority for the State Department, the Intelligence Community, and the Trump Administration as a whole, it has become clear that certain intelligence and analysis regarding Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the Middle East and certain other areas are relevant to more individuals than are currently cleared to receive this information.”
This memo comes shortly after the State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. A State Department spokesperson cited heightened hostility against the Kingdom, particularly attacks by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group targeting civilian airports.
According to CBS News, several other U.S. embassies in the area have also modified their staffing, now operating under “restricted operations” to allow for personnel reductions without an official ordered departure.
On Friday, the State Department updated its travel advisories for several Middle Eastern nations. While the advisory levels remain unchanged, there is a clear emphasis on “an increase in potential armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.”
