Iran adds $2 billion to budget for plots against Americans abroad

Iran has increased its spending on plots to kill Americans by $2 billion, according to a memo from the Director of National Intelligence. Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that these efforts have moved into advanced stages. The unclassified document, dated Friday, details a substantial rise in targeting U.S. personnel overseas.

Clayton wrote that the lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memo. The document does not name specific targets or list the countries where these plots are currently being developed.

The intelligence chief noted that the agency is working to declassify sensitive intelligence gathered through various channels. This step aims to allow more State Department staff to access the data. The memo arrives as the Trump administration considers whether to resume military strikes against Iran.

Security precautions at American diplomatic and military sites in the region have tightened. 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 switched to restricted operations status, which allows them to reduce personnel without formally ordering a departure.

A U.S. official told CBS News on Friday that the department constantly evaluates new information about the security environment. The threat of Houthi attacks and Iranian terror plots is shaping staffing decisions at these embassies. A senior U.S. military official said the military has been quietly shrinking its presence at posts in the Middle East due to continuing threats.

Houthi militants, who are backed by Iran, have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia targeting oil infrastructure and airports. One strike earlier this month on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport killed people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds more. Last weekend, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates took steps in response to these attacks.

The United States and Iran have avoided striking each other in recent weeks. President Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, the president suggested another operation could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement.

We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree,