The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, warning of increased domestic terrorism risks from Iranian-backed or domestic attackers. The bulletin highlights the potential for violent extremists to mobilize independently in response to the conflict, emphasizing the heightened threat to U.S. soil.
Experts, including Barak Seener of the Henry Jackson Society, have raised concerns about the potential activation of Iranian sleeper cells in the U.S., Britain, Europe, and Asia to carry out surveillance or targeted attacks. Seener emphasized that Iran’s ability to retaliate militarily has been significantly weakened due to the degradation of its terrorist proxies, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which have been unable to provide substantial support for Iran’s actions.
The U.S. government is on high alert, with the DHS and FBI implementing additional security measures. Recent actions by ICE led to the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals in the U.S. illegally, including one alleged sniper from the Iranian army. President Donald Trump has also ordered the revocation of student visas for known activists, citing the risk posed by anti-Israel protests on college campuses.
Analysts warn that the risk of Iranian sleeper cells is compounded by the potential for individual radicalization, with Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD executive officer, highlighting the subtle and seductive nature of online radicalization. Mauro pointed to the possibility of leveraging social media to build homegrown terrorists, a methodology historically associated with ISIS but now adapted by Iran to exploit digital communication channels.
The situation has raised concerns about the potential for increased cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes. The threat level remains serious, with experts cautioning that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, suggesting that remnants of groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS could collaborate with Iran to exploit the growing unrest in the U.S. and the Middle East.
While the DHS bulletin does not specify any immediate threats to the American people, federal and local law enforcement agencies have increased their vigilance. The situation underscores the complexity of the Iran conflict and its implications for national security, with ongoing efforts to track and counteract potential foreign threats within the U.S. and its allies.