U.S. intelligence officials have warned that Iran has significantly increased efforts to target American personnel overseas, with alleged plots against U.S. citizens reportedly reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. The warning has heightened security concerns as Washington reassesses diplomatic staffing across the region and President Donald Trump considers his next steps in the confrontation with Tehran.

According to an unclassified intelligence memo dated October 23 and sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, U.S. intelligence agencies have received information indicating a substantial increase in Iranian efforts to target American personnel abroad. The memo was first reported by Axios, and U.S. officials confirmed its authenticity, according to multiple news reports.

“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 wrote in the memo, according to reporting by CBS News.

The warning comes amid rising regional tensions, concerns about attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, and growing uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Iran relations. Officials have not publicly identified specific targets or countries associated with the alleged plots, and the memo does not establish whether an attack is imminent.

The intelligence assessment has prompted renewed attention to the security of American diplomatic missions and government personnel working throughout the Middle East. U.S. authorities say embassy staffing decisions are continually reviewed as new intelligence becomes available.

The State Department recently ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating security threats. The departure order applied to designated U.S. diplomatic facilities in the kingdom, including the embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.

The department has also adjusted staffing at several other diplomatic missions in the region. According to The Associated Press, the United States is reducing staffing at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates following intelligence reports about increased threats to American personnel. The facilities remain open under restricted operations, rather than being subject to the same ordered-departure arrangement as Saudi Arabia.

A U.S. official said decisions about embassy staffing are based on an ongoing assessment of the security environment, including potential Iranian plots and threats from Houthi attacks. The measures reflect Washington's efforts to protect personnel as regional security conditions evolve.

Clayton's memo also indicated that the intelligence community would work to downgrade the classification of certain information so it could be shared with a wider group of State Department personnel. The move could help officials responsible for diplomatic security better understand the reported threats and coordinate appropriate precautions.

The warning comes as the Trump administration weighs whether to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement. The president has publicly indicated that further U.S. military operations remain an option, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation.

Relations between Washington and Tehran have been strained by military confrontation, stalled negotiations and disputes over regional security. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have also emerged as a significant concern, with reported missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure and other sites in the region.

Saudi Arabia has faced particular security concerns following reported Houthi attacks, including an incident involving King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh earlier this month. The broader pattern of attacks has increased pressure on regional governments and U.S. officials to reassess security arrangements.

The State Department previously issued warnings urging Americans traveling in or through the Middle East to exercise caution. Officials have emphasized that security guidance can change as threat assessments develop, making official travel advisories an important source of information for U.S. citizens abroad.

The latest intelligence warning does not publicly detail the alleged plots, identify their intended victims or establish a timeline for any potential attack. Those gaps mean the full scope of the threat remains unclear from the information released so far.

Nevertheless, the assessment underscores the challenges facing U.S. diplomats and security officials as Washington balances personnel protection, regional military commitments and efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement with Iran.

For now, U.S. authorities continue to evaluate intelligence and adjust diplomatic security measures in response to changing conditions. The situation remains closely tied to the wider confrontation between the United States and Iran, the activities of Iran-backed armed groups, and the possibility of renewed military action if negotiations fail.