Axios: Intelligence warns of “advanced” Iranian plots

Intelligence warns of “advanced” Iranian plots
 
Unclassified memo
Obtained by Axios
 
U.S. intelligence finds Iran has “substantially increased” its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and beyond, with lethal plots reaching “advanced stages,” according to a memo yesterday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obtained by Axios’ Barak Ravid.

Why it matters: This is more evidence the war is likely to escalate after midterms on Nov. 3, 10 days from now. News of the memo exploded across the internet after Axios posted it last night, with media coverage worldwide.

U.S. officials say the intelligence is one reason the State Department is drawing down personnel at American embassies across the Middle East, amid mounting fears of a broader regional conflict.

U.S. officials also fear that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen could expand their attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region.

Adding to the volatile security environment is the prospect of renewed U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, potentially after the midterm elections.

President Trump said at a rally in Fort Myers, Fla., yesterday: “We may do another little Operation Epic Fury” unless the Iranians “will agree” to a deal.

“If they’re smart, they will just say: ‘Let’s get down to business.’ But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they’re not smart.”

✈️ State of play: Earlier this week, the State Department ordered family members and nonessential personnel to leave the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.

Yesterday, the department also ordered reductions in U.S. diplomatic and government personnel at embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, a U.S. official said.Share this story.
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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