Washington Orders Diplomatic Withdrawals as Iran Moves Closer to Strikes

American intelligence leaders have concluded that Tehran is finalizing specific plans to harm US citizens abroad, a finding that has triggered an immediate reduction in diplomatic presence across the region. This shift marks a significant escalation in how Washington is managing its exposure to Iranian threats during the ongoing conflict.

The assessment was formalized in a memorandum sent by Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, to Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State. The document states that Iranian efforts to target American personnel have grown substantially. Officials describe the plots as being in advanced stages, with specific focus on the Middle East and select locations in Europe. The warning highlights that potential targets include high-ranking US officials and ambassadors.

Some indicators suggest that Iranian operatives are already operating inside the United States. While the White House has not issued a public statement regarding the memo, one official confirmed its authenticity to The New York Times. Another source suggested that while the ambitions are high, Iran may lack the full capacity to execute every planned attack. This internal debate underscores the tension between threat perception and operational feasibility in Washington.

The current threat level for US citizens in the Middle East is described as the highest since the conflict with Iran began on February 28. This heightened alert status comes as the US and Israel consider launching another military campaign after the mid-term elections scheduled for next month. President Donald Trump referenced this potential action on Friday, using the code name for the war to describe what he called another little epic fury.

In response to the rising danger, the State Department announced on Wednesday that it would remove non-essential staff from the American embassy in Saudi Arabia. The decision was driven by increasing attacks on Saudi infrastructure by the Houthi group backed by Iran. Reports indicate that similar quiet reductions are occurring at missions in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Lebanon. A US official linked these moves directly to Houthi strikes and Iranian terror plots aimed at US officials.

Tehran has not yet responded to the specific intelligence memo. However, Iranian officials have consistently threatened US bases and those of its regional allies. The Pentagon has confirmed that 21 US military personnel have died in the Middle East since the war started. On Wednesday, Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard, stated that Tehran would switch to an offensive strategy if US attacks resume. He noted that the quality, range, and power of Iranian missiles have improved significantly.

Reuters reported that two senior Iranian security officials detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if new strikes occur. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's security chief, warned that data centers and artificial intelligence facilities across the region could also become targets. This focus on critical digital infrastructure suggests a strategy designed to cause widespread economic and operational disruption beyond the battlefield.

US authorities have a long history of accusing Iran of plotting against Americans. In March, a US court convicted a Pakistani national for plotting to assassinate Trump and other politicians on orders from the Revolutionary Guard. In 2022, a Guard member was charged with arranging the killing of former national security adviser John Bolton, allegedly offering $300,000 to individuals in the US for the task. Last year, the intelligence community warned that Iran would continue to threaten US persons globally, particularly those involved in the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani.

The stakes for diplomatic operations have been further illustrated by recent events in Europe. This month, US authorities abruptly pulled bombers from an airbase in England due to fears of a possible attack. This move followed a security incident at the base, leading UK authorities to arrest several men on suspicion of working with Iranian intelligence. These incidents highlight the expanding geographic scope of the threat to US assets and personnel.