US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned on Friday that Iran “has substantially increased” its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond.
A memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the lethal plotting by Iranians against US citizens has reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. It follows Washington’s order this week for non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
Houthi strikes prompt embassy staff departures from Saudi Arabia
The kingdom has faced near-daily attacks this month from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh’s international airport that was its deadliest in years. Washington had also ordered non-essential staff out of the Gulf before its war against Iran and again in July.
Also read: Iran says Saudi Arabia, Houthis have not answered mediation offer
US officials explain embassy staffing decisions
A US official said staffing choices are based on constant reviews of new security information. “When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment,” the official said.
The official added that the threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots against US officials is shaping those decisions.
Trump floats renewed strikes on Iran
On Friday, President Donald Trump suggested the US might resume military operations against Iran. “We may do another little Epic Fury,” he said, referring to the US name for its attacks on Iran, but gave no timing.
The conflict began in late February with US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior military commanders.
