Spy Chief Tells Rubio Iran Plots Are in Advanced Stages

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 23 that Iranian plots against Americans have reached advanced stages. The intelligence memorandum, sent with a copy to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, details a sharp increase in efforts by Tehran to target US officials and citizens.

Clayton wrote in the document that lethal plotting efforts have intensified in the Middle East and certain other countries. He noted that intelligence agencies gathered this information through multiple channels. The memo was marked unclassified and did not name specific targets or attack methods.

The warning follows an escalation in regional tensions. The State Department has scaled back its diplomatic presence in several Middle Eastern countries due to fears of Iranian retaliation. Earlier this week, Washington ordered nonessential government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia after attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis. Axios reported that further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.

Clayton cautioned that the intelligence on plots against government personnel is relevant to a wider group than those currently cleared to receive it. He stated that the underlying information had been shared with cleared senior members of Rubio's team. Clayton offered an additional briefing and promised to make every effort to downgrade the classification of as much intelligence as possible. This step would allow Rubio to share details more widely with State Department staff who might be at risk.

President Donald Trump kept the possibility of further military action open on Friday. He said the United States could carry out another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," Trump said.

CNN reported that the United States is speeding up the departure of diplomats and their families from several regional posts. Some of these personnel had recently returned after evacuations earlier in the Iran war. The network added that Israel had urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner, but those efforts had not succeeded so far.