US Warns of Advanced Iranian Plots to Target American Diplomats

The United States has raised its alert level due to intelligence indicating advanced Iranian plots to target American citizens, diplomats, and officials in the Middle East and beyond. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned that Iran has significantly intensified its efforts to target Americans both within and outside the region. In response to these growing security threats, Washington has taken steps to reduce its diplomatic presence in several Middle Eastern countries.

These warnings coincide with the U.S. State Department's decision to evacuate non-essential personnel and their families from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dammam. This move comes amid repeated Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia this month, including an assault on Riyadh International Airport. The New York Times reported that Iranian officials, one identified as belonging to the Revolutionary Guard, confirmed plans to target Americans, expanding the scope to include diplomats and officials. They justified these intentions as retaliation for the assassination of Iranian officials and dozens of others by Israel and the United States.

Axios previously revealed an intelligence memo dated October 23, sent by Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which cautioned about escalating Iranian attempts to target U.S. diplomats and officials in the Middle East and other nations. The unclassified, one-page memo did not specify targets or countries outside the region, nor did it detail the nature of the plots, but indicated that the core information had been shared with senior State Department officials. In precautionary measures, Axios reported a U.S. official stating that Washington ordered a reduction in diplomatic and government personnel at its embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan due to threats linked to Houthi attacks and suspected Iranian plots.

Regarding the potential severity of these plots, U.S. and Western officials told The New York Times that the capability of the suspected perpetrators to carry out specific attacks largely depends on the competence of individuals recruited for assassination operations. A U.S. official also stated there is evidence of Iran-linked elements within the United States, not limited to Iranian nationals. Intelligence reviewed by senior officials pointed to potential Iranian plans to retaliate against any U.S. or Israeli attack by launching an assassination campaign. U.S. officials and European allies have noted increased intelligence concerns in recent weeks, following the uncovering of a suspected Iranian plot targeting a U.S. military base in Britain.