U.S. intelligence warns of advanced Iranian plots as WWE pushes ahead with Crown Jewel in Riyadh
U.S. intelligence officials have warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran’s plans to attack Americans have reached "advanced stages," the New York Times reported, as TKO moves forward with plans for WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh on November 7.
The TKO-led company is proceeding with preparations for the Crown Jewel premium live event despite an ongoing regional conflict; many cities, including Riyadh, have been subjected to airstrikes by the Houthis for weeks. WWE has said it is monitoring the situation daily and has contingency plans in place, and construction work at Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has begun ahead of the November 7 show. Fan footage shared online shows crews assembling a temporary outdoor venue and promotional displays featuring Liv Morgan have appeared in the city.
According to the New York Times, Jay Clayton, the director of National Intelligence, sent Rubio a memo warning about Iran’s increased efforts to target Americans. The Times report cites U.S. officials who described the Iranian plotting as having reached "advanced stages."
U.S. officials told the outlet that the threat against U.S. people in major countries is at the highest level since the war began earlier this year, and that agencies now assess the threat against Americans in the Middle East and elsewhere to be at its highest level since the war with Iran began in February. These assessments were attributed to U.S. intelligence agencies in the Times account.
Reports of a missile interception near Riyadh have circulated alongside the intelligence warnings, yet on-the-ground preparations for Crown Jewel have continued. TKO executive chairman Ari Emanuel said the situation had not changed and that WWE and UFC events coming up are still scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Construction updates indicate work on the temporary facility at Riyadh Season Stadium started around a week before the reports, with parts of the stands covered during assembly and promotional posters displayed at the site. Social media posts credited to X/Ryan circulated video and imagery showing the venue build and marketing materials for the event.
Fans in the United States will be able to stream the premium live event on ESPN, viewers in most international markets can watch on Netflix, and the show will be available in Sub-Saharan Africa on SuperSport.
Crown Jewel remains scheduled for November 7 at Riyadh Season Stadium in the KAFD, with TKO saying it is monitoring developments daily as the company proceeds with event preparations.