# U.S. Warns of Advanced Iranian Plots as Five Middle East Posts Cut Staff

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/40107
Published: 2026-10-24T15:45:56.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-24T15:45:56.000Z
Section: Regulation

> The Saudi Arabia order covers nonemergency staff and families; four other embassies remain open under restricted operations.

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iranian plans for lethal attacks on Americans had reached a late stage, as the United States reduced staffing at five diplomatic posts in the Middle East.

Clayton's Oct. 23 memo said intelligence showed Iran had sharply increased operations targeting U.S. personnel. It said attack planning had advanced in the Middle East and some other countries, but did not identify specific targets.

U.S. officials assess that the threat to Americans in the region and several other countries is the highest since the war began in February. Officials also cited potential targets in Europe.

The State Department ordered nonemergency personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia on Oct. 21. U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates reduced staffing this week but remained open with restricted operations.

The State Department cited a heightened Houthi threat when it announced the Saudi move. Three U.S. officials said both Iran and Houthi threats contributed to the staffing changes. U.S. officials denied the reductions were related to possible renewed strikes against Iran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy has threatened U.S. bases in the region if Washington continues helping commercial ships transit the Strait of Hormuz.