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US intelligence warns of advanced Iranian plots against Americans; embassy staff cut in four countries

A US intelligence memo says Iranian plots against US personnel have reached advanced stages, as the State Department reduces staff at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE.

File photo: Washington, D.C., United States
File photo: Washington, D.C., United States

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Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an unclassified memo on 23 October that Iran has "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel" and that lethal plotting against US citizens has "reached advanced stages" in the Middle East and certain other countries. The memo, first reported by Axios, does not name targets or countries or say whether attacks are imminent. These are US intelligence assessments; no Iranian response was reported in the coverage.1CBS News2Associated Press (via WKMG ClickOrlando)

The State Department ordered staff reductions at the US embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which stay open under "restricted operations" status; unlike in Saudi Arabia, where nonessential staff and families were ordered out on 21 October, staff there are not required to leave. In announcing the drawdowns the department pointed to threats from Yemen's Houthis, while officials speaking anonymously said both Iranian and Houthi threats lay behind the changes. US officials denied the moves were tied to possible new strikes on Iran.1CBS News2Associated Press (via WKMG ClickOrlando)

The same day, US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the Financial Times the war "could last another year", saying US goals would not be met until Iran disposes of its highly enriched uranium. US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a strike that weekend was possible, although Trump had earlier said there would be no strikes before the 3 November midterms. At a Florida rally Trump said: "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree."1CBS News2Associated Press (via WKMG ClickOrlando)3CBS News

Markets reacted to the wider conflict: Brent crude rose 3.5% to above $117 a barrel on 23 October, up from under $97 at the start of the month, and the Dow fell about 550 points, CBS News reported. Iranian state TV, citing an unnamed IRGC Navy source, claimed all movement of "non-compliant" vessels through the Strait of Hormuz had halted; Trump has said Iran is "making up fake hits" to raise oil prices.3CBS News

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2 linked stories, oldest first. This story is highlighted.

  1. Deadly attack on Saudi airport in Dammam as US orders staff out of Saudi ArabiaAn attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed two people and wounded eight, Saudi authorities said, after the US ordered non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia over Houthi threats.
  2. US intelligence warns of advanced Iranian plots against Americans; embassy staff cut in four countriesA US intelligence memo says Iranian plots against US personnel have reached advanced stages, as the State Department reduces staff at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE.
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    1. US and Israel draw up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms, NYT reportsUS officials told the New York Times the two militaries have plans for a short, intense campaign against Iran after the 3 November US midterm elections; Trump has not approved it.CBS NewsAssociated Press (via WKMG ClickOrlando)
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        US is reducing staffing at 4 Middle East embassies over increased threats from IranAssociated Press (via WKMG ClickOrlando) 23 October 2026clickorlando.com
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