US cuts staff at four Middle East embassies over Iran threat

The State Department is reducing staffing at four US embassies in the Middle East due to intelligence indicating Iran has increased efforts to target American personnel, with lethal plotting reaching advanced stages in the region and other countries. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton conveyed the threat assessment in a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. The staffing reductions affect embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which remain open under restricted operations status. US officials linked the changes to threats from Iran and Yemen's Houthi rebels, though they denied any connection to potential new strikes on Iran. The move follows recent fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthis, amid ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.