Jay Clayton, the head of U.S. national intelligence, sent a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday warning that Iran had "substantially increased efforts" to target American personnel. The memo, first reported by Axios, cites intelligence that Iran’s "lethal plotting efforts" have reached advanced stages not only in the Middle East but also in other countries. It follows a month of near‑daily attacks by the Iran‑backed Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed dozens and injured hundreds.
In response to the escalating threat, Washington ordered all non‑essential U.S. embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The decision came after the kingdom experienced a series of missile and drone strikes, prompting the State Department to reassess the security environment at its Gulf posts. "We constantly evaluate new information about the security environment," a U.S. official said, citing the Houthi attacks and the Iranian plot as key factors.
President Donald Trump, speaking on Friday, suggested that the United States might launch a renewed military operation against Iran, remarking that "we may do another little Epic Fury." The comment echoes the name of the 2025 strike campaign that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and senior commanders. Trump did not specify a timetable, but the statement signals a potential escalation that could reverberate across the region.
The next week, the State Department will brief senior officials on the feasibility of additional evacuations and potential military actions. Analysts say the U.S. will weigh diplomatic options before committing to new strikes, while Iran’s allies may step up their own counter‑measures. The evolving situation remains a flashpoint for regional stability.