US intelligence warns Iran may target American officials abroad

US intelligence has warned that Iran may be preparing assassination attempts against American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond, with preparations reaching an "advanced stage." The warning came in a memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating Iran has "significantly intensified" efforts to attack US personnel. The memo suggests lowering classification levels to allow broader dissemination of threat information to at-risk staff. The intelligence is cited as a reason for the State Department reducing staff at several Middle East embassies. Officials also fear Houthi attacks could expand beyond Saudi Arabia, with potential renewed US-Israeli military operations against Iran possible after midterm elections.