Iran plotting against US officials, intelligence warns; Washington on alert, trims Gulf staff

As talk continued of the US and Israel launching another major attack on Iran, American intelligence learned of another significant development. The agency immediately sent word to the US government, and Washington moved into action. Intelligence indicates that plots are being hatched by Iran to target American officials and personnel. Alarm has since spread in Washington.

US Director of National Intelligence J. Clater sent a note to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 23, in which he gave a serious warning about possible Iranian action. According to the intelligence, Iran has deliberately stepped up efforts to target American personnel, and work has already begun on some lethal plots.

It has also emerged that the targets are not confined to the Middle East. Attempts are under way to target American citizens in some other countries as well. However, which places and which people are being targeted has not yet come to light.

On receiving the intelligence, the US tightened security at its offices further. Non-essential staff and their families at the embassy in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, and at the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran have been instructed to leave the country. Staff numbers are also being reduced in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The embassies in these four countries will remain open with limited operations.

Given the threat of coming attacks, the US has begun reducing staff at its diplomatic offices in the Middle East. The decision has again raised the question of security across the region. Political analysts say Iran has begun making its moves. According to them, the US knows that wherever it tries to hide in the Middle East, Iranian missiles and drones can reach it. The US has seen this at first hand in recent fighting.

Growing attacks by the Houthis of Yemen, along with Iran, have also added to US concern. Saudi Arabia's oil projects, airports and other key sites are being targeted. Security has been tightened in all Gulf countries.

Donald Trump has signalled that if Iran does not agree to talks, the US will strike hard again. This has deepened fears that confrontation between the two countries may flare up again.