Clayton Alerts Rubio That Iran Funneled $2 Billion Into Lethal Plots

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Iran has substantially increased its efforts to target American personnel overseas. The unclassified memo, obtained by CBS News, states that lethal plotting efforts have reached advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the communication.

The document identifies a $2 billion increase in spending dedicated to these lethal operations. Clayton wrote that the intelligence community is working to downgrade the classification of sensitive data gathered through various channels. This process aims to allow wider sharing of information with State Department staff.

The memo does not name specific targets or countries where the plots are being developed. It also does not confirm whether an attack is imminent. The timing coincides with the Trump administration weighing a return to military strikes against Iran. The administration is also managing a series of security precautions at U.S. diplomatic and military sites in the region.

Earlier this week, the State Department ordered non-essential embassy personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. Several other U.S. embassies in the region shifted to restricted operations status. This status allows posts to reduce staffing levels without formally declaring an ordered departure.

A U.S. official told CBS News on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information about the security environment. The official cited the threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots as key factors shaping staffing decisions. A senior U.S. military official confirmed that the military has quietly shrunk its presence at Middle East posts due to continuing threats.

Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have targeted oil infrastructure and airports in Saudi Arabia. One strike on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh earlier this month killed several people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds. U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took defensive steps last weekend in response to these attacks.

President Trump suggested at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday that another operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement. He referred to the U.S. military campaign launched in February as Epic Fury. Iran continues to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.