Washington:US officials have raised the alert level for American personnel throughout the Middle East in response to escalating threats from Iran.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the alert level increase is due to the heightened threat posed by Iran, which US officials say has reached its highest level since the onset of conflict in the region. This action comes after the United States assessed that Iran has significantly intensified its efforts to assassinate American officials and diplomats in the Middle East and beyond.

A memo, described as “unclassified” and dated Friday, was addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and highlights these concerns. Reported by Axios, the memo indicates that Iranian assassination plots are in advanced stages, prompting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to urge that intelligence on these plots be shared with a broader range of U.S. personnel, including those lacking the necessary security clearance.

The memo does not specify the targets, countries, or nature of the plots but confirms that core intelligence has been disseminated to senior officials at the U.S. Department of State. This intelligence has influenced the State Department’s decision to reduce staffing levels at certain embassies in the Middle East as a precaution against a potential regional conflict.