21 US Troops Dead as Clayton Orders Staff Cuts at Seven Missions

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that Iran is in the advanced stages of plotting against American personnel abroad. The internal document, first reported by Axios and The New York Times, states that intelligence agencies have observed a substantial increase in Iranian efforts to target US officials overseas. The warning has placed American staff in the Middle East on high alert.

The Times reported that threats to American ambassadors and other officials were assessed in recent weeks. Intelligence suggests that Iran has identified potential targets in Europe and that Iranian operatives may already be active inside the United States. A US official told the Times that the threats are now at their highest level since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. Another official noted that while the threats are serious, Iran may lack the capacity to execute all of its ambitions.

In response to the threat, the State Department announced on Wednesday that it is removing non-essential staff from its embassy in Saudi Arabia. The department cited escalating attacks on Saudi infrastructure by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. CNN reported that similar quiet staff reductions have occurred at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Lebanon. A US official attributed these moves to Houthi attacks and specific Iranian terror plots targeting US officials.

President Donald Trump commented on the situation on Friday, stating that the US may do another little epic fury. This phrase is the codename for the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that the US and Israel may be preparing a new military campaign following the US mid-term elections next month. Washington has not issued a public comment on the Clayton memo, though an official confirmed its authenticity to the Times.

Since the war began, the Pentagon has confirmed that 21 US military personnel have been killed in the Middle East. Iran has not responded directly to the memo. However, Revolutionary Guard spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said on Wednesday that Tehran would adopt a new offensive strategy if the US renewed attacks. Mohebbi stated that Iran would no longer limit itself to retaliation and that the quality, range, and power of its missiles have improved.

Reuters cited two senior Iranian security officials who said Tehran has detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if new attacks occur. Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned that cables, data centers, and artificial intelligence facilities across the region could be hit. US authorities have a long history of accusing Iran of plotting against Americans. In March, a US court convicted a Pakistani national of plotting to assassinate Trump and other politicians on the orders of the Revolutionary Guard.

In 2022, a Guard member was charged with arranging the killing of former national security adviser John Bolton by offering $300,000 to people in the US. Last year, the US intelligence community stated that Iran would continue to directly threaten US persons globally. This month, US authorities pulled bombers from an airbase in England over fears of a possible attack. The move followed a security incident at the base, after which UK authorities arrested several men on suspicion of working with Iranian intelligence.