Iran Assassination Plots Reach Advanced Stages as US Evacuates Diplomats and Brent Crude Hits $117

The United States has ordered diplomatic personnel and their families to leave multiple Middle Eastern countries after a US intelligence memo found that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target American diplomats and officials, with lethal plots described as having reached advanced stages. The memo, reported by Axios and the Financial Times, prompted the US to reduce staffing at four embassies in the region, citing both Iranian threats and danger from Houthi militants in Yemen.

President Trump warned that Washington could launch another military strike against Iran if Tehran does not agree to a deal, and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a strike could occur as early as the weekend, adding that regime change would not be the objective. The conflict, which began in February 2026 with Operation Epic Fury, is now approaching its eighth month. Trump framed the rise in oil prices as an acceptable cost, saying it was a small price to pay for removing a nuclear threat from what he called a very evil country.

Brent crude surged to $117.30 per barrel amid fears of resumed hostilities involving the US, Israel and Iran. Iranian officials told Reuters they have drawn up plans to target seven undersea communications cables in the Gulf, as well as US-linked data centers, AI facilities and oil infrastructure, if attacked again, a threat that could disrupt banking, internet connectivity and financial transactions across the region. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US economic pressure campaign had significantly weakened Iran's oil exports in under two months, while Persian Gulf oil exports from other producers rose above pre-war levels.

Diplomatically, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said President Masoud Pezeshkian would travel to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin the following week, signaling continued Iran-Russia engagement. Turkey and France both urged restraint, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warning that renewed attacks could widen the conflict and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot cautioning that further escalation would push oil prices higher. A New York Times report cited a US official saying Iran is seeking more than it can realistically achieve in any negotiation.