Iranian plots to target US diplomats in Middle East reach ‘advanced stages’: Report

US intelligence has found that Iran has “substantially increased” its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East, according to a media report published on Friday.

Citing an intelligence memo addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Axios reported that plots allegedly being hatched by Tehran to target American diplomats had reached the “advanced stages”.

The intelligence assessment comes as US President Donald Trump warned of a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, saying Washington could launch “another little Epic Fury” to pressure Tehran into negotiations.

“If they're smart, they'll just say, ‘Let's get down to business.’ But, you know, I doubt they'll do that because perhaps they're not smart,” Trump said while addressing a campaign rally in Florida.

According to the Axios report, US officials in the Middle East are concerned that Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen could expand their attacks beyond Saudi Arabia to other countries in the region.

Amid the escalating tensions, the US Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members from Saudi Arabia.

However, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott dismissed reports that Washington was preparing to issue similar departure orders across multiple US embassies in the Gulf.

“This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only,” Pigott wrote in a post on X.

He said the decision was prompted by escalating attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

“Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions,” he said.