Jay Clayton warns Marco Rubio of advanced Iranian attack plans

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iranian efforts to kill American personnel have intensified. The intelligence memorandum, dated October 23, was sent directly to Rubio with a copy provided to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. A US official confirmed the receipt of the document following an initial report by Axios.

Clayton wrote that the lethal plotting efforts by Iranians against US citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. He noted that US intelligence agencies gathered this information through multiple channels. The memo indicates that Iran has substantially increased its push to target American officials and citizens.

The director cautioned that the intelligence regarding plots against government personnel applies to a wider group than those currently cleared for the information. Clayton stated that the underlying data had already been shared with appropriately cleared senior members of Rubio's team. He offered the secretary an additional briefing on the findings.

Clayton promised to make every effort to downgrade the classification of the intelligence. This action would allow Rubio to share the details more broadly with State Department staff who might be at risk. The memo itself was marked unclassified and did not name specific targets or attack methods. It also did not identify any countries outside the Middle East where plots were allegedly being developed.

This warning arrives as the State Department reduces its diplomatic presence in several Middle Eastern nations. Washington 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 their families to leave Saudi Arabia. This move followed an escalation in 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 several regional posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned after earlier evacuations during the Iran war.

President Donald Trump kept the possibility of further military action open while speaking on Friday. He said the United States could carry out another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. Trump stated, 'We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree.'

The memo highlights growing US concern for the safety of American diplomatic personnel. Washington is weighing additional military options while continuing diplomatic efforts to secure a deal with Iran. The intelligence chief's warning underscores the urgency of protecting US staff in the region.