Increased Threat to U.S. Diplomats in the Middle East

 

TT

 

Published 08:39

 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Image from this week. Photo: Kylie Cooper/AP/TT

U.S. intelligence services warn that Iran has “significantly increased” its plans for attacks against American diplomats and officials in the Middle East, according to a document obtained by Axios.

Earlier this week, family members and other non-essential personnel were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia. On Friday, it was also decided that the number of American personnel would be reduced in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The memo, dated October 23 and sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, does not name specific targets but—according to Axios—states that plans for lethal attacks have reached “advanced stages.”

The U.S. also fears that the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, which is fighting against a Saudi-led coalition, may expand and escalate its attacks in the region.