U.S. Intelligence Memo Says Iran's Plots Against American Personnel in Middle East Have Advanced

The Director of National Intelligence sent a memo to the Secretary of State warning that Iran has intensified planning to target U.S. personnel in the Middle East and elsewhere, describing the plotting as having reached "advanced stages." A U.S. official confirmed the memo's authenticity after it was first reported by a news outlet.

The memo noted that the risk extends to more individuals than are currently cleared to receive the information and said the intelligence community will work to downgrade the material so it can be shared with State Department staff at their discretion.

In parallel, the State Department has placed several diplomatic posts in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan on a "Restricted Operations" status and is reducing staff at those locations. A State Department official said the adjustments are driven by new assessments of threats, including Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials.

President Donald Trump recently said he was considering another military operation against Iran, referencing the earlier "Epic Fury" strikes. Senior military officials have reportedly presented a range of options for new strikes, including potential attacks on Iran's nuclear facility entrances and strategic islands such as Kharg and Qeshm.

Iran offered a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which the president rejected, accusing Tehran of trying to raise oil prices ahead of U.S. midterm elections. Iran's foreign minister responded that the proposal was motivated by national interests, not U.S. elections.

The State Department also announced that the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia will operate with emergency staff only, and chiefs of mission at several Middle Eastern posts have been notified of reduced staffing levels.