Report: Iranian plots to kill Americans reach ‘advanced stages,’ US intelligence warns
US officials assess threats to Americans abroad at their highest since the war began, with intelligence suggesting potential targets in Europe and possible Iranian operatives inside the US
Iran has “substantially increased” its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond, with lethal plots reaching “advanced stages,” according to a US intelligence memo obtained by Axios.
The October 23 memo was sent by the director of national intelligence to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. CNN said it had also obtained a copy and that a US official confirmed its authenticity. A source told CNN that its substance was broadly consistent with the intelligence community’s assessment.
The warning came as US agencies assessed that threats to Americans in the Middle East and several other countries were at their highest level since the war began in February, The New York Times reported, citing US officials. President Donald Trump and senior aides have received regular briefings on the rising threats, one official said.
Analysts have spent the past three weeks examining intelligence on threats to US officials, including ambassadors, according to the Times. Some material suggests Iran may have operatives inside the United States, while Iranian plans also include potential targets in Europe, officials told the newspaper.
Another official cautioned, however, that Iran’s ability to carry out attacks in the United States and elsewhere abroad remains limited, with its ambitions exceeding its capabilities.
CNN also questioned why the intelligence would be communicated from the director of national intelligence to the secretary of state through this type of memo, raising the possibility that it was intended for public release.