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

The memo, sent Friday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, follows recent escalations in the region. U.S. officials confirmed the authenticity of the unclassified intelligence memo, which was first reported by Axios.

'Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel,' the memo states. 'The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.'

Saudi Arabia evacuation

The warning comes just days after the State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Earlier this week, the State Department clarified that the departure order applies only to Saudi Arabia, not the entire Gulf region.

Continuing threats

The memo also states that intelligence officials will work to downgrade the classification of certain intelligence so it can be disseminated and shared with State Department personnel. A U.S. official told Fox News Digital that the government continually monitors and evaluates evolving security threats.

'When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment,' the official said. '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.'

The intelligence report comes as President Donald Trump continues to weigh another round of military strikes against Iran if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington. The State Department previously renewed its warning to Americans traveling in and through the Middle East in late September.