Iran plots against US personnel reach advanced stages, memo warns

An intelligence memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel abroad, with lethal plots reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. The memo, sent Friday by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, was confirmed as authentic by U.S. officials. It follows the State Department's ordered departure of non-emergency government employees and families from Saudi Arabia due to escalating Houthi rebel attacks. The warning comes as President Donald Trump weighs further military strikes against Iran, while the State Department clarified that departure orders apply only to Saudi Arabia, not the entire Gulf region.