Iran plots to assassinate US officials in Middle East and beyond: Report

US intelligence found that Iran has sharply stepped up efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and other countries, with lethal plots reaching advanced stages, US news outlet Axios reported on Friday. The report cited a memo dated Oct. 23 from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which said the information is relevant to more personnel than are currently cleared to see it. The one-page unclassified memo does not name targets, countries outside the Middle East, or the nature of the plots. The unclassified memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reveals that the Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton has pressed Rubio to widen the circulation of warnings about suspected Iranian assassination operations.

NOW: There are "ADVANCED" Iranian plots to assassinate American officials overseas, according to a memo to Sec. MARCO RRUBIO from DNI Jay Clayton — Axios PRAY FOR ALL OF THEM https://t.co/HNLHcbnfGs

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A US official told the outlet that the intelligence is one reason the agency is reducing embassy personnel in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan, as first reported by CNN. Earlier this week, family members and nonessential staff were ordered out of the embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The State Department confirmed the four countries would see temporary staffing changes under “restricted operations,” but said the embassies had not formally changed status.