US Reduces Middle East Embassy Staff Amid Advanced Iranian Threats Ahead of 2026 Midterms

In a significant security move, the United States is reducing staffing at several diplomatic missions across the Middle East following an intelligence warning about advanced Iranian plots targeting American personnel abroad. A memo dated October 23, 2026, from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. citizens, with lethal plots reaching “advanced stages” in the Middle East and other unspecified countries.

This unclassified memo, also shared with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, prompted the U.S. State Department to order non-essential government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, where the embassy and consulates in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran are located. Meanwhile, U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have reduced their staffing levels but remain open under a “restricted operations” status. This arrangement allows these missions to continue functioning with fewer personnel without formal closure or mandatory departures.

The intelligence alert comes amid escalating regional tensions, including intensified attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. These assaults have targeted critical infrastructure such as airports and oil facilities, raising concerns over the safety of U.S. diplomatic staff and American citizens in the region. Notably, a recent missile and drone strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport reportedly killed at least a dozen people, including one U.S. citizen, and caused numerous injuries.

While the memo details the advanced stage of Iranian plotting, it does not specify particular targets, exact locations outside the Middle East, or the methods by which attacks might be carried out. Nor does it indicate whether any attacks are imminent. U.S. officials have emphasised that the staffing changes respond to a combination of threats, including Iranian plots and the ongoing Houthi attacks, which have increased in frequency and severity over recent months.

The timing of these developments is notable, occurring just days before the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November 3, 2026. Although some media reports have linked the heightened threat environment to the election cycle, there is no public evidence suggesting that these security measures are directly related to protecting the electoral process or that Iran intends to influence the vote.

The U.S. State Department maintains a standing “worldwide caution” advisory, last updated in July 2026, which warns of heightened tensions in the Middle East and potential threats from Iran and affiliated groups against American interests and citizens overseas. The recent adjustments to embassy staffing and travel advisories across more than a dozen countries in the Gulf and surrounding region reflect these ongoing concerns.

Concurrently, the U.S. military presence in the Middle East is reportedly shrinking quietly amid these security challenges. The Trump administration has not ruled out resuming military actions against Iran after the elections, adding further complexity to the regional security landscape.

For now, U.S. diplomatic missions continue to operate with heightened caution. Americans living in or travelling to the region are urged to stay alert and adhere to travel advisories issued by the State Department to ensure their safety amid the evolving threat environment.