The United States is rushing to move some diplomats and their family members from posts in the Middle East as the threat of regional escalation looms, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Axar.az reports, citing CNN, that the departures have been described as a frustrating and chaotic déjà vu, as many of those leaving had only recently returned to their posts after being ordered out during the height of the Iran war.

An unclassified October 23 memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US intelligence has found that “Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel” and plotting efforts “have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.”

A US official told CNN, “When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment. The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting U.S. officials are informing our decisions on staffing adjustments for embassies on RO Status in the region.”