The United States is stepping up security measures at diplomatic missions across the Middle East as intelligence officials warn that alleged Iranian plots targeting American personnel have reached advanced stages.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an October 23 memo that Iran had substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel, with potentially lethal plots developing in the Middle East and other countries.
The State Department has ordered nonessential personnel and family members to leave U.S. diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, including the embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
Staffing levels are also being reduced at U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These missions remain open under restricted operations, and personnel in those countries have not been ordered to leave under the same directive as those in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials say the decisions reflect growing security concerns involving alleged Iranian plots and increased attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. The intelligence memo does not identify specific targets or disclose when or where any alleged attacks might occur.
The moves come amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over whether Washington could resume military action against Iran. President Donald Trump has publicly raised the possibility of further military operations while diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations continue.
U.S. officials say protecting diplomatic personnel and their families remains a priority as security conditions are reassessed across the region.
