'Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel,' intelligence director warns

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Jay Clayton warned of increased Iranian activity to target United States personnel, with deadly plots against Iran reaching “advanced stages” in the Middle East and certain other countries.

In an intelligence memo sent on Friday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and obtained by news outlets, Clayton explained that intelligence indicated increased targeting by Iran. Axios, which first reported on the memo, provided a copy of the document.

“Specifically, through various channels, we have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel,” the memo stated.

“The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries,” Clayton continued. 

The DNI also added that “every effort to downgrade as much intelligence as possible” would be made so that Rubio could disseminate the material to State Department personnel.

“Recognizing the safety of U.S. government personnel abroad is a top priority for the State Department, the Intelligence Community, and the Trump Administration as a whole, it has become clear that certain intelligence and analysis regarding Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the Middle East and certain other areas are relevant to more individuals than are currently cleared to receive this information,” he explained.

The memo followed the order by the State Department earlier this week directing the departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families in Saudi Arabia, with State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott citing increased hostilities against the Kingdom, including on civilian airports, by the Iranian-backed Houthis terrorist group.

According to CBS News, several other American embassies in the region also adjusted their staffing under the status of “restricted operations,” allowing them to reduce personnel without going under a formal ordered departure.

On Friday, the State Department updated its travel advisories for many Middle Eastern countries. Though the advisory level and indicators of risk were not changed, the department emphasized “an increase in potential armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.”

Credit: oann.com