The United States is reducing staffing at four embassies in the Middle East after intelligence officials warned that Iran had intensified preparations for attacks against American citizens and officials.
The measures affect U.S. diplomatic missions in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The embassies will remain open but will operate with reduced staffing.
The decision follows an earlier State Department order requiring nonessential personnel and family members of U.S. government employees to leave Saudi Arabia.
What the Intelligence Warning Said
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio a memo dated Oct. 23 saying Iran had substantially increased efforts to identify American targets and that potentially lethal operations had reached an advanced stage in the Middle East and several other countries, according to The Associated Press.
Three U.S. officials confirmed the authenticity of the memo to AP. The document did not identify specific potential targets or describe the planned attacks.
Axios, which first reported the memo, said the warning concerned U.S. diplomats and officials. A U.S. official said the staffing reductions were also linked to the risk of expanded attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Embassies Will Remain Open
Unlike in Saudi Arabia, personnel in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE have not been ordered to leave. The four missions are operating under restricted conditions and will retain essential staff.
U.S. officials said the reductions were not connected to possible new American or Israeli strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump nevertheless raised the possibility of further military action if Tehran does not agree to negotiations.
Reuters earlier reported that Washington was preparing staffing reductions at additional diplomatic missions amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The security measures come as mediators seek to revive formal talks between Washington and Tehran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has also threatened strikes against U.S. bases if Washington continues helping commercial ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz.