Iranian Plots Targeting Americans Have Reached ‘Advanced Stages,’ State Department Memo Warns

A U.S. intelligence memo has indicated that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target American personnel abroad, with lethal plotting efforts reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries.

The unclassified memorandum, dated October 23 and sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated that intelligence received through various channels showed Iran had substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel. It further noted that lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens had reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memo, which U.S. officials confirmed as authentic after it was first reported by Barak Ravid of Axios.

Clayton indicated that the intelligence was relevant to more individuals than those currently cleared to receive it. Intelligence officials planned to work on downgrading the classification of relevant material to allow broader dissemination and sharing with State Department personnel.

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🚨Scoop: U.S. intelligence finds Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target American diplomats & officials in the Middle East and beyond, with lethal plots reaching "advanced stages," per memo to Secretary of State Rubio. My story on @axios https://t.co/JpDxTvWdpT pic.twitter.com/OHJRSIOnJd

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 24, 2026

The memo coincided with recent adjustments to U.S. diplomatic staffing in the region. Earlier in the week, the State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, including missile strikes directed toward the kingdom. Staffing reductions were also implemented at U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with several posts already operating under restricted operations status.

Officials described these measures as informed by ongoing evaluations of the security environment, including threats from Houthi attacks and Iranian plots targeting U.S. officials. The department had previously renewed travel warnings for Americans in the Middle East in late September.

The most recent developments occur amid increased tensions and the possibility of new escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict that has largely stabilized in recent weeks and months. Earlier this month, analysis indicated Iran was preparing a more forceful response in the event of resumed large-scale U.S. military attacks on its territory.

Some assessments placed the current threat level to Americans in the Middle East and elsewhere at its highest point since the conflict began, with indications of possible Iranian operatives in the United States and potential targets in Europe, though officials have noted limitations in Iran’s operational capabilities abroad.

President Donald Trump has paused additional major U.S. strikes pending the November midterm elections while evaluating options for possible intensification of the conflict afterward. Sources familiar with the operation have described planning for short, intensive campaigns potentially targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, missile and drone capabilities, as well as nuclear-related sites.

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