DNI Memo Details 23 Oct Warning on Advanced Iranian Plots

A memorandum dated October 23 confirms that Iranian efforts to kill American officials and citizens have entered an advanced phase. The document was sent by Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, to Marco Rubio, who serves as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser. A copy of the memo was also provided to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Clayton wrote that intelligence from multiple channels shows Iran has substantially increased its push to target US personnel. He stated that lethal plotting efforts against US citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and in certain other countries. The memo itself is marked unclassified and does not name specific targets, attack methods, or the non-Middle Eastern countries involved.

The intelligence chief cautioned that the information is relevant to a wider group than those currently cleared to receive it. Clayton noted that senior members of Rubio’s team who hold appropriate clearings have already seen the underlying data. He offered the secretary an additional briefing and promised to downgrade the classification of as much intelligence as possible. This action would allow Rubio to share details with more State Department staff who might be at risk.

The warning aligns with recent moves by the State Department to reduce its diplomatic footprint in the region. Citing fears of Iranian retaliation and potential new US military operations, Washington ordered nonessential employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. This decision followed an escalation in attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Axios reported that further staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. CNN added on Friday that the US is speeding up the departure of diplomats and their families from several posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned to duty after evacuations earlier in the Iran war.

President Donald Trump kept open the option of further military action on Friday. He said the United States could carry out another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," Trump said. Israel has urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner, though those efforts have not yet succeeded.

The intelligence memo arrives as Washington weighs additional military options while continuing diplomatic efforts to secure a deal with Iran. The confirmation of the memo’s contents followed a report by Axios, which first obtained the document.