U.S. Intel Chief Cites Iranian Efforts Directed at Americans Overseas

Americans serving abroad face a higher level of danger, according to a Friday memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. The unclassified document states that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel outside the United States. It also notes that intelligence agencies are working to lower the classification on some sensitive material so it can be shared more widely with staff at the State Department.

Clayton wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that lethal plotting efforts against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the document. The memo does not identify specific targets, does not list specific countries where plots are developing, and does not state whether an attack might be imminent. Axios first reported the contents of the memo.

The warning arrives as the Trump administration weighs whether to resume military strikes against Iran. It also coincides with staffing changes at American diplomatic posts. Earlier this week, the State Department directed non-essential personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. Embassies in several other regional countries have moved to restricted operations status, a step that permits reducing staff without formally declaring an ordered departure.

A U.S. official said on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information regarding the security environment. That official identified threats from Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots as factors in staffing decisions at embassies operating under restricted status. A U.S. official and a senior U.S. military official said this week that the military has been quietly reducing its presence at posts in the Middle East because of continuing threats. Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have struck oil infrastructure and airports in Saudi Arabia. An attack earlier this month on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport killed people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds more.

President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections, though the United States and Iran have avoided striking each other in recent weeks. Iran continues to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Mr. Trump suggested another operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree," the president said, referring to the U.S. military campaign launched in February.