Iran has 'substantially increased' efforts to target Americans abroad, US intelligence memo warns

U.S. Intelligence Warns of Growing Iranian Targeting of American Personnel Abroad

WASHINGTON — An unclassified intelligence memo sent by National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday revealed that Iran has “substantially increased” efforts to target U.S. personnel overseas, with lethal plots now in advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. The memo, confirmed as authentic by U.S. officials, arrives amid a sharp spike in missile attacks by Iran‑backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and a State Department order for non‑essential U.S. government workers to leave the kingdom.

Rising Threat in a Volatile Region

The memo reads, “Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel.” It goes on to warn that “the lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.” Intelligence officials intend to downgrade the classification on related information so it can be disseminated to State Department staff.

The warning follows the State Department’s recent directive that non‑emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia evacuate the country amid escalating missile strikes by the Houthi rebels. The Department said it would consider staffing adjustments for embassies operating on restricted‑operations (RO) status in the region.

“We constantly evaluate new information about the security environment,” a State Department official told Fox News Digital. “The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials are informing our decisions on staffing adjustments for embassies on RO status in the region.”

Confusion About a Wider Gulf Exit

Earlier this week, the State Department clarified that the evacuation order applied only to Saudi Arabia, not to the entire Gulf. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters, “Any claims of a potential broader regional shutdown were ‘inaccurate.’” The department had previously renewed its warning to Americans traveling in and through the Middle East in late September.

Houthi rebels have fired a string of missiles toward Saudi territory, prompting the U.S. to pull non‑essential personnel from the kingdom. The latest wave of attacks underscores the region’s volatility and the heightened risk to U.S. diplomatic staff.

Context of U.S. Policy Toward Iran

The intelligence memo comes as former President Donald Trump weighs the prospect of additional military strikes against Iran if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington. Trump has publicly defended the use of force abroad and has signaled a willingness to strike again if Iranian aggression continues.

The memo also highlights the broader threat posed by Iran to U.S. personnel worldwide, not just in the Middle East. “We have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel,” the document states, underscoring that Iranian plotting extends beyond the Arabian Peninsula.

Official Responses

The authenticity of the memo was confirmed by U.S. officials, who also noted that intelligence will be downgraded for broader dissemination. The memo was first reported by Axios, then obtained by Fox News. The memo’s release follows the State Department’s order to evacuate staff from Saudi Arabia, which was triggered by the surge in missile attacks by Houthi rebels, an Iran‑aligned militia.

“The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages,” the memo says, a stark reminder to Washington that Iranian threats to Americans abroad are becoming more sophisticated and imminent.

Implications for U.S. Diplomats

The intelligence briefing suggests that U.S. diplomats and employees may face heightened risks in the near future. As the State Department reevaluates staffing at embassies, officials are likely to consider more stringent security measures, including limiting the presence of non‑essential personnel and tightening access controls.

For Americans traveling or working abroad, the Department’s recent warning remains in force, urging caution and compliance with evacuation orders where applicable. The evolving situation underscores the need for vigilance, both at home and on the front lines of U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region.

The story was contributed by Fox News Digital’s Jessica Mekles and Fox News’ Nick Kalman.