U.S. reduces staffing at Middle East embassies amid warnings of Iranian plots
publishers 16articles 16first reported 23 Oct, 20:02 UTCdeveloping since 24 Oct · 7 editions
The United States is reducing staffing at several Middle East embassies after intelligence agencies warned that Iran had intensified efforts to target American personnel, according to an unclassified memo dated Oct. 23.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iranian lethal plots against U.S. citizens had reached “advanced stages” in the Middle East and certain other countries. The memo did not identify potential targets, countries outside the region or the nature of the alleged plots.
The State Department is reducing personnel at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while keeping the missions open. ABC News reported that threats from Iran and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement contributed to the changes. CNN reported that staffing limits were also being adjusted at posts including Bahrain and Kuwait. Nonessential U.S. personnel and family members were separately ordered to leave Saudi Arabia amid increased Houthi attacks.
U.S. officials denied that the drawdowns were connected to preparations for new American or Israeli strikes on Iran. President Donald Trump nevertheless raised the possibility of another U.S. military operation during a Friday rally, saying Washington might conduct “another little Epic Fury” unless Iran agreed to negotiate.
An Iranian official told the Associated Press that Tehran remained open to talks under a Pakistan-brokered framework agreed in June, including a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifted its naval blockade.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 16
- Source articles
- 16
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 24 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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