US intelligence chief warns Iran escalating plots against US personnel in Middle East

US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton has warned that Iran has "substantially increased efforts to target US personnel" in the Middle East and other regions, with lethal plotting reaching advanced stages, according to a memo seen by the BBC. The warning coincides with the State Department adjusting staffing at diplomatic posts, including the ordered departure of non-emergency embassy staff from Saudi Arabia this week. A US official said Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots are informing staffing decisions for embassies on restricted operations status. At least 21 people have been killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports since October, including a missile strike on Riyadh's airport that killed 13. The conflict follows the US-Israel air campaign against Iran in February and the collapse of a preliminary agreement in June.