Trump Threatens New Iran Strike as State Department Pulls Diplomats From Four Countries

An Oct. 23, 2026 intelligence memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran has "substantially increased" efforts to target U.S. diplomats, with some plots at "advanced stages," Axios reported. The State Department confirmed "restricted operations" with temporary staffing cuts at embassies and consulates in Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan, and separately ordered nonessential staff out of Riyadh and two Saudi consulates after Houthi attacks, according to CNN. Some personnel had only recently returned after an earlier evacuation during the Iran war.

The drawdowns coincided with Trump telling a Fort Myers, Florida rally the U.S. "may do another little Epic Fury," the name of the earlier bombing campaign against Iran, unless Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington. CNN reported Trump suggested any resumed strikes could wait until after the midterms, while Israel has pushed for faster action.

No new strikes had occurred as of publication. The posture changes and Trump's remarks mark the latest turn in a monthslong, unresolved conflict with Iran that followed Operation Epic Fury.