U.S. Officials Cite Highest Iran Threat to Americans Since War Began

U.S. officials said Friday that the threat of Iranian attacks against Americans has reached its highest level since the war began in February, as the government raises security precautions and starts cutting staff at some U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East.

Intelligence officials warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that U.S. State Department employees in the Middle East and elsewhere face security risks. The Trump administration confirmed the memo, and U.S. personnel across the region were told to increase vigilance. The assessment said plans targeting Americans had advanced to a late stage.

U.S. analysts have spent the past three weeks reviewing threats against U.S. officials, including ambassadors. Some intelligence materials pointed to possible Iranian operatives inside the United States and potential targets in Europe.

One U.S. official cautioned that Iran’s ability to carry out attacks in the United States and other countries remains limited, even as its intent is assessed as stronger than its operational capacity. The security escalation adds geopolitical risk to the backdrop for oil and broader markets, including crypto.