Iran has "increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," intel chief warns

The warning, contained in an unclassified memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by CBS News, comes as the State Department adjusts staffing at diplomatic posts across the Middle East. The U.S. military simultaneously pares back its footprint in the region amid concerns about direct threats from Iran and the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen.

"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 wrote. The memo does not identify specific targets or countries where the alleged plots are underway, nor does it indicate whether attacks may be imminent.

Diplomatic Adjustments

The warning follows a series of precautions at U.S. diplomatic facilities across the region. Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential U.S. embassy personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. Several other American embassies in the region adjusted their staffing under "restricted operations" status.

Military Posture

A U.S. official and a senior U.S. military official told CBS News this week that the military has been quietly reducing its footprint at posts in the Middle East due to ongoing threats. Houthi militants have stepped up drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting oil infrastructure and airports.

One strike on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport earlier this month killed at least a dozen people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds more. Last weekend, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other countries warned Americans to exercise caution due to Houthi attacks.

Political Considerations

Although the U.S. and Iran have refrained from striking each other in recent weeks, President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections. Iran has continued to take responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

At a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Mr. Trump suggested the U.S. could launch another operation against Iran if Tehran failed to reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree," the president said, invoking the name of the U.S. military campaign launched in February.