US intelligence warns Iran is planning attacks against Americans abroad

An intelligence memo warned that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target Americans overseas, with plot plans reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries, Fox News, the New York Times, and Arab News reported. The unclassified memo was sent on Friday by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. [1][2][4][5]

The New York Times, AOL.co.uk, and the Financial Times also reported that Iran is in advanced stages of planning these attacks against Americans living abroad. AOL.co.uk specifically noted that the plans include targeting Americans living in Europe. United States officials have confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence memo, according to Fox News. [1][3][4][6]

The warning follows an order from the United States government instructing non-emergency federal employees, diplomats, and family members to leave Saudi Arabia, Fox News and the New York Times reported. The drawdown of staff comes amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and efforts to reduce personnel at other missions across the region. [1][2]

Threats linked to Iran have drawn heightened security concerns globally in recent weeks. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the head of MI5 previously warned that state threats from Russia and Iran are increasing, noting that domestic security resources devoted to state threats have quadrupled over the last decade. [9]