A senior official in Donald Trump's administration warned in a document obtained by Reuters that Iran has been significantly intensifying its efforts to target U.S. officials, and that plot plans against American citizens have reached a dangerous and critical stage.
The warning was made by Jay Clayton, Director of U.S. National Intelligence, after Washington reduced the number of staff working at its embassy in Saudi Arabia earlier this week in response to escalating attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group. Earlier this month, sources told Reuters that Iran was preparing a strong response if the U.S. resumed large-scale military attacks on its territory.
In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 23, Jay Clayton wrote: "Through various channels, we have obtained information that Iran has significantly intensified its efforts to attack U.S. officials. Iran's assassination plots against American citizens have reached an advanced stage both in the Middle East and in several other countries."
It should be noted that this week, the U.S. Department of State ordered non-emergency government personnel and their family members to depart from the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, with plans to also withdraw family members of staff at other diplomatic missions in the region.
