American intelligence warning of Iranian assassination plans

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An American intelligence memorandum revealed the escalation of Iranian efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond, warning that some of the supposed plans have reached advanced stages, at a time when Washington has begun reducing its diplomatic presence in a number of countries in the region.

According to a report published by Axios on Saturday, the memorandum dated October 23, addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicates that Iran has significantly intensified its efforts to target American officials and diplomats.

The report explained that the intelligence information related to plans that could lead to killing operations, which, according to the American assessment, had reached advanced stages of preparation.

Axios quoted the memo, a copy of which it obtained, as saying that US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton warned Rubio of the need to inform a larger number of American employees of information related to potential Iranian plans.

Clayton pointed out that the scope of circulation of this information is still limited, although additional employees may be exposed to risk.

He offered to declassify as much sensitive information as possible, allowing the State Department to share it more widely with relevant personnel.

The memorandum did not specify the names of the targeted persons or the countries concerned outside the Middle East, nor did it reveal the nature of the supposed plans.

The report confirmed that the basic intelligence information had previously been shared with senior leaders in the US State Department.

In light of these warnings, Axios quoted American officials as saying that fears of Iranian plans constitute one of the reasons for reducing staff numbers at a number of American embassies in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, the US State Department ordered the departure of family members of employees and non-essential workers from a number of embassies in the Middle East.

The official said that the decision came as a result of fears of Houthi attacks and possible Iranian plans, which prompted Washington to retain only essential employees.

The report indicated that American officials also fear that the Houthis will expand their attacks to other countries in the region, after targeting Saudi Arabia.

These developments coincide with the possibility of renewed American and Israeli military operations against Iran, amid escalating regional tension.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of carrying out a new military operation against Iran if it did not reach an agreement with Washington. Despite the seriousness of the warnings contained in the memorandum, it represents an American intelligence assessment of possible plans, and does not mean that assassinations have occurred or that these plans have been proven to have been carried out.