2 regions: Where Iran's advanced plots against Americans have reached a critical stage

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iranian efforts to kill Americans overseas have reached advanced stages. The unclassified memo, which was also copied to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, states that Iran has substantially increased its targeting of U.S. personnel abroad.

Clayon described the situation as a matter of lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens that have progressed in two specific areas. He wrote that these efforts have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries. The document does not name the specific targets or identify which nations outside the Middle East are affected. It also does not indicate whether an attack is imminent.

The intelligence chief noted that the community is working to downgrade the classification of sensitive information gathered through various channels. This process is intended to allow State Department staff to share the data more widely. The warning arrives as the Trump administration considers resuming military strikes against Iran.

Security measures at American diplomatic and military sites in the region have tightened in recent days. The State Department ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Several other U.S. embassies in the region have shifted to restricted operations status, a designation that allows them to reduce staff without formally declaring an evacuation.

A U.S. official told CBS News on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information about the security environment. The official said that the threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials are shaping staffing decisions at embassies under restricted operations. A senior U.S. military official also said this week that the military has been quietly shrinking its presence at posts in the Middle East due to continuing threats.

Houthi militants, who are backed by Iran, have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia that target oil infrastructure and airports. One strike earlier this month on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport killed people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds more. Last weekend, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took steps in response to the Houthi attacks.

President Trump suggested at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday that another operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement. He referred to the U.S. military campaign launched in February when he said, We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree.