Iran plots advanced strikes on US abroad

American intelligence services have escalated their alerts, signaling that Tehran is finalizing lethal operations against US personnel stationed overseas. This development marks a sharp increase in perceived threat levels for Washington's diplomatic and military presence in the region.

An internal memorandum sent by Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, to Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, outlines these heightened risks. Clayton noted that intelligence gathering shows Iran has significantly ramped up efforts to target American staff abroad. The document indicates that specific lethal plots are now in their final stages of preparation in the Middle East and other global locations.

According to reports from The New York Times, recent assessments place threats to American officials, including ambassadors, at their peak since the conflict with Iran began on February 28. Intelligence suggests that Iranian operatives have identified potential targets in Europe and may already be operating within the United States. While Washington has not publicly detailed the memo, one official confirmed its authenticity to the paper. Another official cautioned that Iran might lack the full capacity to execute all of its planned attacks.

The State Department responded to these warnings by announcing the removal of non-essential staff from its embassy in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. This decision cites the intensifying attacks on Saudi infrastructure by the Houthi movement in Yemen. CNN reported that similar quiet reductions are occurring at US missions in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Lebanon. A US official explained that Houthi strikes and Iranian terror plots are the primary drivers behind these staffing cuts.

President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Friday, suggesting the US might launch another major military offensive. He referred to the potential action using the codename from the previous war, stating the country may do another little epic fury. This comment comes amid speculation that the US and Israel are preparing a new military campaign following the mid-term elections scheduled for next month.

Iran has not issued a formal response to the intelligence memo. However, its leadership has consistently threatened and executed attacks on US and allied bases in the region. The Pentagon confirmed that 21 US military personnel have been killed in the Middle East since the war started. On Wednesday, Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard, announced that Tehran would shift to an offensive strategy if attacks resume. He claimed that the quality and range of Iranian missiles have improved.

Tehran has also outlined specific plans to target critical digital infrastructure. Reuters reported that senior Iranian security officials have detailed strategies to strike undersea communications cables in the Gulf. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's security chief, warned that data centers and artificial intelligence facilities across the region could also become targets if the war resumes.

The current alert level builds on a long history of US accusations regarding Iranian plotting. In March, a US court convicted a Pakistani national of plotting to assassinate Trump and other politicians on orders from the Revolutionary Guard. In 2022, a Guard member faced charges for attempting to arrange the killing of former national security adviser John Bolton, reportedly offering $300,000 for the job. Last year, the US intelligence community stated that Iran would continue to threaten US persons globally, particularly those linked to the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani.

Recent security measures have also extended to US territory. This month, the US abruptly withdrew bombers from an airbase in England due to fears of a possible attack. This move followed a security incident at the base, which led UK authorities to arrest several men suspected of working with Iranian intelligence services.