DNI Memo: Iran Adds $2 Billion to Budget for Lethal Plots
Jay Clayton told Marco Rubio that Iranian operations to kill Americans abroad have reached advanced stages in multiple countries.
By Marco Graham ·
Iran has increased the budget for lethal plots against American personnel by $2 billion, according to a memo from the Director of National Intelligence. Jay Clayton sent the warning to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the communication.
Clayon wrote that Iranian efforts to target U.S. citizens have substantially increased. He noted that these lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries. The memo does not identify specific targets or list the countries where the plots are developing.
The intelligence community is currently working to declassify sensitive information. This process will allow State Department staff to access more detailed intelligence. The memo does not specify if an attack is imminent. It only confirms that the planning phase is well underway.
U.S. officials said the military has quietly reduced its presence at posts in the Middle East. This move responds to continuing threats from Iranian-backed groups. The State Department also ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Several other embassies in the region moved to restricted operations status, a designation that allows them to cut staff without issuing a formal departure order.
Houthi militants, who receive backing from Iran, have attacked Saudi oil infrastructure and airports. A strike on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport earlier this month killed a U.S. citizen and hundreds of others. U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took security steps in response to these attacks last weekend.
President Trump suggested another military operation could occur if Tehran does not reach a deal. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, he referenced the U.S. military campaign launched in February. He stated that the administration may conduct another operation or Iran will agree to terms. The White House has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections.
