US discreetly moves diplomats and families as intel warns of Iranian plots to attack

The United States is discreetly relocating diplomats and their families from several Middle Eastern nations following intelligence assessments warning of advanced Iranian plots to attack American personnel. An unclassified memo, sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton on October 23, 2026, indicated that Iran has significantly increased its efforts to target US citizens, with lethal plots reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other regions.

This repositioning affects diplomatic staff in countries including Saudi Arabia, where non-essential personnel and families were ordered to depart, as well as embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan, which are operating under "restricted operations" status. The State Department cited the threat of Iranian terror plots and attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces as factors informing these staffing adjustments.

The moves are described by some as chaotic, with many diplomatic families having only recently returned to their posts after previous evacuations during the height of the Iran war. While the embassies in these countries remain open, the adjustments underscore Washington's heightened concerns about the safety of its personnel amidst escalating regional tensions.