Warnings of Iranian plots prompt U.S. staffing reductions
According to Axios, a U.S. intelligence memo dated October 23 warns that Iran has ‘substantially increased’ efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond, with lethal plots reaching ‘advanced stages’.
U.S. officials said the intelligence is one reason the State Department is reducing personnel at several American embassies across the Middle East amid fears of a broader regional conflict.
They also fear the Houthis could expand attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region. Axios reported that the prospect of renewed U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, potentially after the midterm elections, adds to the security concerns.
U.S. officials told The New York Times:
“The U.S. government has raised the alert level for its employees across the Middle East and taken steps to reduce staffing levels at embassies and consulates in the region. Iran’s threat to Americans in the Middle East has reached its highest level since the start of the February War. Trump receives regular briefings on threats extending beyond the Middle East. We have information suggesting the possible presence of Iranian elements inside the US, although Iran’s ability to launch attacks inside the U.S. remains limited. Iranian plans to target Americans also include potential targets in Europe”.
Iran threatens Gulf infrastructure and American forces
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has threatened to attack airports, pipelines and other civilian infrastructure in neighboring Gulf countries if the U.S. and Israel renew their air campaign.
Sources said Iranian officials told mediators that another U.S. attack would trigger a broader assault on Gulf economies.
The sources added that Tehran threatened more lethal attacks on American forces, including attempts to sink U.S. warships and kill their crews.
Two senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Iran has prepared plans to attack undersea internet cables in the Gulf if the U.S. or Israel launches another strike. Tehran also plans to prevent repairs, potentially prolonging disruptions to internet services, banking and cloud computing.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Iranian General Staff (Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters), said:
“We will not allow U.S. warships to re-enter the Gulf”.
“God willing, in the final war, we will become the absolute superpower of the world,” IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said.
Trump accuses Iran of manipulating oil prices
President Trump said:
“Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of oil prior to the U.S. midterm election. They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else, because more oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the conflict”.
Russian Embassy denies evacuation reports
A Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-134B-3 aircraft was reported to have landed in Iran a few days earlier and departed shortly before the report.
Reports indicated that Russian nuclear scientists had been evacuated amid the threat of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Russian Embassy in Tehran denied reports that Russian diplomats and specialists working at the Bushehr nuclear power plant had been evacuated from Iran.
