A U.S. intelligence memo warns that Iran has "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," and that deadly plots have reached "advanced stages." The memo was first reported by Axios. A U.S. official confirmed to Scripps News that it is real 1.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote the unclassified memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Scripps News. It says the plotting extends across the Middle East and to "certain other countries" 1. The reports we reviewed do not name specific targets, countries outside the Middle East or the nature of the plots 12.
Embassy staff ordered out
On Wednesday, officials confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is on "ordered departure." That status requires all non-emergency personnel to leave 1. The order also covers their family members 2.
Other regional embassies are on "restricted operating status," a new label meant to give each post more flexibility. Some have sent additional staff home in recent days 1.
From Channel GOPTrump says he alone decides who gets paidDonald Trump · 133 plays · captioned, with the source named
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott disputed reports that departure orders were going out across several Gulf embassies. He called those reports inaccurate and said the order covers only Saudi Arabia 2.
Officials first described the moves mainly as a response to attacks by the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen. Pigott said Iranian-supported Houthis have "increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia," including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure 12. The memo suggests Iranian threats are also a factor 1.
An unnamed U.S. official said the Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots are "informing our decisions on staffing adjustments" 1.
What the president said
At a Florida rally on Friday, President Donald Trump warned Tehran about more military action. Scripps reports that he said "we may do another little Epic Fury" 1. The Tribune, citing the news agency ANI, quotes him differently: "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree" 2.
Scripps also notes that earlier this month, Mr. Trump and White House officials suggested there would be no more strikes on Iran before the midterm election 1. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
What happens next
Officials fear the Houthis could widen attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region 2. Analysts quoted by ANI expect conflict in West Asia to spike as both sides harden their positions 2.
Neither report we read includes comment from Democratic or Republican lawmakers on the memo or the embassy orders 12. We will update this brief if members of Congress respond.
That matters because the public has heard little about how long Americans abroad will face this risk. The memo says the plots are advanced, but the public reporting so far gives no detail on who is targeted or where. Readers should expect more questions from Congress about how the administration is protecting diplomats and their families.
The Record
- Officials confirmed the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia was placed on ordered departure for non-emergency staff 1.
- DNI Jay Clayton wrote an unclassified memo to Secretary of State Rubio saying Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel 1.
- Spokesperson Tommy Pigott disputed reports of departure orders across several Gulf embassies, saying the order applies to Saudi Arabia only 2.
Sources
- Scripps News, “New memo to Secretary Marco Rubio warns Iran is working to target US personnel” (2026-10-24). scrippsnews.com/us-news/iran-war/new-memo-to-secretary-marco
- The Tribune (ANI), “US Intel warns of threats to American diplomats in West Asia: Report” (2026-10-24). tribuneindia.com/news/world/us-intel-warns-of-threats-to-ame
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
