US Warns Iran as Sanctions Tighten and Tensions Rise

US intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned that Iran has significantly intensified efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond, according to a memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as Washington tightens security measures in the region. The memo indicates Iranian plots have reached advanced stages, prompting the US to reduce diplomatic staff in Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. Pakistan blocked trucks from Iran at two border crossings, enforcing US sanctions, while an Iranian official reported about 17,000 trucks stranded at borders with Turkey, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed Washington for failing to reach an interim agreement and called for renewed efforts. He plans to visit Moscow next week for a gas exporters summit, while a Revolutionary Guard spokesman warned Iran's response to any attack would be far larger.