U.S. intelligence warns Iranian plots to kill American officials in Middle East reach advanced stages

U.S. intelligence has warned that Iranian plots to kill American officials in the Middle East have reached advanced stages, according to a memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. The memo, confirmed by a U.S. official, prompted reductions in U.S. troop presence and diplomatic staffing across the region, including Lebanon, UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, with posts placed on restricted operations status. The State Department also ordered the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia to operate with emergency staff only. The warning follows President Donald Trump's remarks about potential new strikes on Iran, with military options including attacks on nuclear facilities or strategic islands like Kharg Island. Iran has denied seeking to influence U.S. midterm elections, while officials cite Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots as factors in staffing decisions.