Iran targets US officials in the Middle East and other regions

Iran is reportedly stepping up efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials in the Middle East and other regions, according to a US intelligence memo dated October 23 and cited by Axios. In response to the alleged plots, Houthi attacks and the possibility of a renewed offensive against Iran, the State Department is reducing diplomatic staffing in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The United States is preparing for possible strikes and has deployed additional Marines and naval forces to the region. Russia denied reports that its diplomats and specialists were leaving the Bushehr nuclear power plant, saying operations were continuing as usual.