Iran’s Targeting of U.S. Personnel Abroad Increases

Iran has significantly escalated efforts to target American personnel overseas. Plots against U.S. citizens are advancing, particularly in the Middle East and other regions, as highlighted in an intelligence memo obtained by Fox News.

The memo, dated Friday and addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, follows the State Department’s directive for non-emergency U.S. employees and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. This action responds to Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks.

The memo, confirmed by U.S. officials and initially reported by Axios, provides details on the increased risks. It states, “Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel.”

‘Keep a low profile’: State Department warns Americans overseas they could be targeted

Secretary of State Marco Rubio received intelligence outlining Iran’s plans against U.S. personnel internationally. The memo notes, “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 are working to lower the classification of some information so it can be shared with State Department staff.

A U.S. official informed Fox News Digital about the government’s continuous monitoring and assessment of security threats. “When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment,” the official remarked. “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.”

Amid these developments, President Donald Trump is considering further military action against Iran unless Tehran negotiates with Washington. This follows the State Department’s earlier clarification regarding the non-essential U.S. government employees’ departure from the Gulf region, specifically addressing Saudi Arabia.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that rumors of a wider regional evacuation were incorrect, indicating the measure was limited to Saudi Arabia.

The State Department renewed a travel warning for Americans in the Middle East in late September. The recent alert came after Houthi rebels targeted Saudi Arabia with missile attacks.