US Spy Chief Tells Secretary of State Iran Is Preparing Attacks
Director Jay Clayton wrote to Marco Rubio that lethal plots against American citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and elsewhere.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
Three days after sending a classified assessment to the top of the State Department, the US intelligence community confirmed that Iran has moved from planning to active preparation for lethal attacks on Americans. The warning, dated October 23, details a sharp increase in Iranian efforts to target US government officials and citizens.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent the memorandum to Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio. A copy went to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Clayton stated that intelligence agencies gathered data through multiple channels showing Iran substantially intensified its campaign. He noted that the plotting efforts against US citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and specific other nations.
Clayton cautioned that the information regarding plots against government personnel is relevant to a wider group than those currently cleared to see it. He said the underlying details had already been shared with senior members of Rubio's team who hold the necessary security clearances. The director offered Rubio an additional briefing to discuss the findings directly.
The memo was marked unclassified and did not name specific targets, attack methods, or countries outside the Middle East where plots were being developed. Clayton promised to make every effort to downgrade the classification of as much of the intelligence as possible. That change would allow Rubio to share the details with more State Department staff who might be at risk.
The warning arrives as Washington scales back its diplomatic presence in several Middle Eastern countries. The State Department cited fears of Iranian retaliation and the possibility of renewed US military operations against Tehran. Earlier this week, the US ordered nonessential government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia after attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.
Axios reported that further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN reported on Friday that the US was speeding up the departure of diplomats and their families from these regional posts. Some of those personnel had only recently returned after evacuations earlier in the Iran war.
President Donald Trump kept open the possibility of further military action 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.
