US intelligence agencies have issued a warning about an increase in Iranian activities aimed at striking American personnel in the Middle East and other regions. As a result of these concerns, Washington has begun reducing its diplomatic presence in several countries in the area, preparing for a possible escalation.
US authorities have been placed on alert following reports that Iran is suspected of drawing up plans to eliminate US diplomats and officials. A memorandum from the intelligence services, made public by the American news outlet Axios, indicates that Tehran has significantly increased efforts to target US officials both in the Middle East and in other countries.
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The document, dated October 23, 2026, notes that preparations for assassinations targeting American citizens have entered an advanced stage.
US officials cited by Axios say that these findings specifically prompted the State Department to reduce staffing at several diplomatic missions in the Middle East, as fears of a broader regional conflict continue to grow.
The one-page memorandum, classified as unclassified, was delivered to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser.
The document was signed by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, and a copy was also sent to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
The text emphasizes that the security of American government employees outside US territory remains an absolute priority for the State Department, intelligence agencies and the administration of President Donald Trump.
According to Clayton, information gathered from multiple sources confirms that Iran has significantly escalated its campaign to target American personnel.
The warning indicates that suspected plans to kill American citizens have advanced considerably, both within the Middle East and in several other countries.
However, the memorandum does not specify particular targets, identify which countries outside the region may face a risk or provide details about the possible methods for carrying out the attacks.
A central aspect of the document is the need to expand the circle of US officials who will be made aware of these suspected threats.
Clayton notes that the information is relevant to protecting a larger number of individuals than those who currently hold the appropriate security clearance to read it.
According to the memorandum, the relevant materials have already been distributed to senior State Department officials who possess the necessary security clearances.
The director of national intelligence has also said he is prepared to brief Rubio personally and to lower the classification level of the information as much as possible. Such a move would allow the secretary of state to share the information with a larger number of American diplomatic staff.
The initiative is intended to strengthen protective measures for US personnel abroad, particularly in a context in which potential risks may not affect only senior officials.
As intelligence agencies issue these warnings, Washington is taking concrete steps to limit its diplomatic presence in several countries in the region.
At the beginning of the week, the State Department ordered the evacuation of family members of staff and nonessential employees from the embassy in Riyadh, as well as from the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
On Friday, a US official cited by Axios confirmed that an order had been issued to reduce diplomatic and government personnel at US embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan.
The same source explained that the decision was linked to the risk of possible attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, as well as to information about suspected Iranian terrorist plots.
The aim is for only the minimum staff necessary for their operation to remain at the diplomatic missions. The news about the personnel reductions at the four embassies was first reported by CNN.
According to Axios, US officials have also expressed concern that the Houthis could extend their operations beyond Saudi territory to include other countries in the region.
Tensions in the Middle East remain high partly because of the possibility of new US and Israeli military interventions against Iran, which could take place after the midterm elections in the United States.
During a rally in Florida on Friday, President Donald Trump said Washington could carry out another limited military operation, which he called “Epic Fury,” or Iran could agree to a deal.
Trump added that if Iranian authorities were wise, they would choose the path of serious negotiations, although he expressed skepticism that Tehran would do so.
Recent developments show that Washington is strengthening preventive measures to protect its personnel, while relations with Iran remain extremely tense and a new military escalation cannot be ruled out.
