Clayton tells Rubio Iranian attack plots against Americans have advanced

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iranian plans for lethal attacks against American personnel have reached an advanced stage. The intelligence memorandum, dated October 23, was sent directly to Rubio with a copy provided to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

According to the document, US intelligence agencies have gathered information from multiple sources indicating that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target US officials and citizens. Clayton wrote that these lethal plotting efforts are developing in the Middle East and specific other countries.

The warning was made public following a report by Axios, which first obtained the text of the memo. Clayton noted in the communication that the intelligence is relevant to a wider group than those currently holding the necessary security clearances. He confirmed that senior members of Rubio’s team had already received the underlying data and offered an additional briefing to the Secretary.

Clayton pledged to work on downgrading the classification of the intelligence. This action would allow Rubio to share details with more State Department staff who may be at risk. The memo itself was marked unclassified and did not identify specific targets, attack methods, or the non-Middle Eastern countries where plots are being developed.

The alert arrives as the State Department reduces its diplomatic footprint in several Middle Eastern nations. Washington cited fears of Iranian retaliation and potential renewed US military operations against Tehran as reasons for the pullback. Earlier this week, nonessential government employees and family members were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia following an escalation in attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Axios reported that further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN reported on Friday that the United States is accelerating the departure of diplomats and their families from these regional posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned after evacuations during earlier phases of the Iran war.

President Donald Trump maintained the possibility of further military action during remarks on Friday. He stated that the United States could conduct another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran fails to reach an agreement. Trump said, 'We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree.'