Scoop: U.S. intel memo warns of "advanced" Iranian plots to kill officials abroad

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 an Oct. 23 memo to Secretary of Marco Rubio obtained by Axios.Why it matters: U.S. officials say the intelligence is one reason the State Department is drawing down personnel at several 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.What they're saying: "We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or [the Iranians] will agree [to a deal]," President Trump said at a rally in Florida on Friday."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."Driving the news: In the one-page, unclassified memo obtained by Axios, Director of National Intelligence Jay …

≈