Intelligence Memo Says Iranian Plots Against Americans Abroad Have Advanced

A U.S. intelligence memo says Iranian plotting to kill Americans overseas has reached "advanced stages" in the Middle East and some other countries, LifeZette reports. The warning comes as the State Department cuts staff at diplomatic posts across the region.

Key points

• The memo: Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent the unclassified October 23 memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Axios obtained and published it. It does not name targets, describe the plots or identify the countries outside the Middle East.
• Drawdowns: Nonessential staff and families were ordered out of the embassy in Riyadh and the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. Cuts were also ordered at embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, with a U.S. official citing Houthi threats and Iranian terror plots.
• Iranian threats: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the conflict would reach U.S. bases if American forces kept escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that two senior Iranian security officials described plans to hit undersea communications cables and military sites if strikes resume.
• Trump's warning: At a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump said "we may do another little Epic Fury" unless Tehran reaches a deal.

Quick take

LifeZette notes that several outlets report the administration is weighing renewed strikes on Iran, possibly after the midterm elections, with missile and drone programs, energy infrastructure and nuclear sites among possible targets. No decision on a new operation has been announced.

Read the full story at LifeZette.