Iran's latest threat against the US takes aim at new targets
News Source
β’Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:14:00 +0000
π° What Happened
US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton has warned that Iran has greatly increased its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and in some other countries. In a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said the plotting had reached an advanced stage.
The warning came as Washington told non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has faced near-daily attacks this month from Yemen's Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh's airport.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US "may do another little Epic Fury", using the US name for its strikes on Iran. He gave no timing.
π The Backstory
The conflict began in late February, when US and Israeli attacks on Iran killed the country's supreme leader and senior military commanders. Washington has pulled non-essential staff from the Gulf twice before: ahead of the war's start, and again in July before Trump called off a new wave of strikes.
A US official said embassy staffing is reviewed constantly against the security situation, and that both Houthi attacks and Iranian plots aimed at US officials were part of the decision.
Iran has not commented on the memo in the reporting so far.
π― Why It Matters
Rising threats between Washington and Tehran raise the chance of more fighting in the Middle East. That affects fuel prices and the safety of people living, working or travelling there.
US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton has warned that Iran has greatly increased its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and in some other countries. In a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said the plotting had reached an advanced stage.
The warning came as Washington told non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has faced near-daily attacks this month from Yemen's Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh's airport.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US "may do another little Epic Fury", using the US name for its strikes on Iran. He gave no timing.
The conflict began in late February, when US and Israeli attacks on Iran killed the country's supreme leader and senior military commanders. Washington has pulled non-essential staff from the Gulf twice before: ahead of the war's start, and again in July before Trump called off a new wave of strikes.
A US official said embassy staffing is reviewed constantly against the security situation, and that both Houthi attacks and Iranian plots aimed at US officials were part of the decision.
Iran has not commented on the memo in the reporting so far.
Rising threats between Washington and Tehran raise the chance of more fighting in the Middle East. That affects fuel prices and the safety of people living, working or travelling there.