US reduces staffing at four Middle East embassies over Iran threats

The State Department is reducing staffing at four U.S. embassies in the Middle East—Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—following intelligence that Iran has intensified efforts to target American personnel. The embassies will remain open under restricted operations status. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a memo that Iran's lethal plotting against U.S. citizens has reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. Officials linked the staffing changes to threats from Iran and Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, though staff are not compelled to leave. The drawdowns come amid renewed fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthis, and follow an order for nonessential personnel to leave Saudi Arabia. U.S. officials denied ties to potential strikes on Iran, while Tehran has threatened U.S. bases near the Strait of Hormuz.