Iran Moving from Planning to Active Preparation to Kill Americans, Intel Memo Reveals

The US intelligence community has identified a surge in Iranian plans to kill American officials and citizens. On Friday, a US official confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a formal warning about these escalating threats. The alert indicates that Iran is moving from planning to active preparation for attacks.

The intelligence memorandum is dated October 23. It was sent by Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, to Rubio. A copy was also provided to John Ratcliffe, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The document states that intelligence agencies collected data from multiple sources. This information shows that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target US personnel.

Clayton wrote that the plotting has reached advanced stages in the Middle East and in certain other countries. He noted that the threat extends beyond those currently cleared for the specific intelligence. The underlying details were already shared with senior members of Rubio's team who have the proper security clearance. Clayton offered Rubio an additional briefing and pledged to work on lowering the classification of the intelligence. This change would allow Rubio to share the warning with more State Department staff who might be at risk.

The memo itself was unclassified. It did not list specific targets, attack methods, or the names of countries outside the Middle East where plots are being developed. The warning arrives as the State Department reduces its diplomatic footprint in the region. Washington ordered nonessential employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. This move followed an escalation in attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.

Media reports indicate that the US is accelerating the departure of diplomats and their families from several regional posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned after previous evacuations during the Iran war. Reports also state that Israel urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner. Those efforts have not yet resulted in a decision. President Donald Trump kept the option of military force open on Friday.

Trump said the US could conduct another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran fails to reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," he said. The intelligence warning reflects growing concern for the safety of US diplomatic personnel. Washington is currently weighing additional military options while continuing diplomatic efforts to secure a deal with Iran.