Iran is reportedly at 'advanced stages' of plots to target Americans across the globe, including throughout Europe. The New York Times claims intelligence officials raised the alarm with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning him of the dangers confronting State Department personnel in the Middle East and beyond.
Intelligence Warning
The Iranian schemes also encompass potential targets on European soil, according to US officials. A memo from Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, disclosed that agencies had "received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel."
The memo further stated: "The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries."
Diplomatic Withdrawals
This comes as the US ordered its diplomats and their families to withdraw from Saudi Arabia amid mounting security concerns. The US State Department is scaling back its presence at four embassies across the Middle East following intelligence regarding Iran's intentions.
Staff numbers have been reduced in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The affected embassies are all operating under what is known as "restricted operations" status, which has already diminished the number of personnel on site. The embassies will continue to function nonetheless.
Regional Tensions
However, unlike in Saudi Arabia, where non-essential US personnel and their families were instructed on Wednesday to vacate the country, staff in the remaining four nations are not being compelled to leave.
Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guard navy once again threatened to strike US military bases throughout the region this week, cautioning that America must cease its support in navigating commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial corridor for the world's energy resources.
"Any further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in the region will put civilian lives and the well-being of all regional states and the global economy at great risk," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in an opinion column in the Financial Times this week.
With the conflict having reached a deadlock, mediators are working relentlessly to encourage Washington and Tehran to return to the negotiating table for formal talks.
