The US is reducing staff at four Middle East embassies after an intelligence warning about Iran. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote that Iran is in "advanced stages" of planning attacks on Americans. Non-essential staff and families were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia this week.
Why it matters: US diplomats and citizens across the Middle East face higher security risks and reduced consular services.
The United States is reducing staff at four Middle East embassies after an intelligence warning about Iran. A memo from intelligence chief Jay Clayton said Iran had "substantially increased efforts" to target US personnel and that plots had reached "advanced stages." US missions also updated travel advisories across the Gulf.
Why it matters: American diplomats and travelers in the Gulf face tighter security and fewer embassy services.