U.S. Intelligence Chief Reports $2 Billion Surge in Iranian Kill Plots

U.S. intelligence officials report that Iran has increased its spending on lethal plots against American personnel by $2 billion. The figure appears in a newly released unclassified memo from Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, which outlines the escalating threat facing U.S. citizens overseas.

Clayon sent the warning to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was also copied on the document. In the memo, Clayton states that Iranian efforts to kill U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other specific countries. He notes that the intelligence community is working to declassify sensitive information so State Department staff can access it more easily.

The document does not identify specific targets or countries where the plots are developing. It also does not indicate that an attack is imminent. The timing coincides with the Trump administration's review of options for resuming military strikes against Iran. Security precautions at American diplomatic and military sites in the region have tightened in recent weeks.

Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. Several other U.S. embassies in the region shifted to restricted operations status. This status allows posts to reduce staffing levels without formally ordering a departure. A U.S. official told CBS News on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information about the security environment.

The official said that threats from Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots are driving staffing decisions. A U.S. official and a senior military official confirmed that the military has been quietly reducing its presence at posts in the Middle East. Houthi militants, who are backed by Iran, have targeted oil infrastructure and airports in Saudi Arabia. One strike on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh earlier this month killed several people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds.

Last weekend, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took steps to respond to the Houthi attacks. Although the United States and Iran have avoided direct strikes in recent weeks, President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections. Iran continues to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

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