The world has become significantly safer due to the significant reduction in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, attributed to the decisive actions of the U.S. military and the Trump administration. Following the Israelis’ resolute reaction to the Iranian-backed October 7th attack on civilian targets, the country has crippled Iran’s conventional weapons and decapitated its fanatical leadership. However, these actions have heightened the risk of Iranian terror proxy attacks against U.S. citizens globally.
Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, is the biggest threat to U.S. citizens, having caused more American fatalities than any other terrorist group. The organization has been operating in the U.S. since the late 1970s, primarily for terrorist fundraising, with sleeper cells capable of transforming into active cells. A notable example is the prosecution of a Hezbollah cell in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which demonstrated the organization’s global reach and strategic presence in American cities.
The investigation, which lasted four years, uncovered a network of criminal activities supporting international terrorism, including copyright violations, cigarette tax fraud, counterfeit activities, bank fraud, bribery, credit card fraud, identity theft, immigration fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, along with providing material support to a terrorist organization. The cell reportedly collected $8 million through over 500 bank accounts. The principal, Mohamad Youssef Hammoud, received a 155-year prison sentence, while his brother and right-hand man received 70 years. Twenty-six individuals were indicted in the operation. Similar cases were later discovered across the U.S.
Experts warn that open-border policies under the Biden administration could aid Iran in retaliating with terror sleeper cells. A June 2022 study by the George Washington University program on extremism identified 128 examples of Hezbollah activity in the U.S., with the majority involving small hubs of operatives engaging in illegal activities linked to broader criminal enterprises. The FBI’s focus on ‘white supremacist’ groups during the Biden administration diverted resources from the most significant threat, leading to the intelligence community needing to catch up with the responsibility of protecting American citizens from small cells or fanatics.
The Biden administration’s open-border policies have created an unprecedented opportunity for international terror cells and individual fanatics to infiltrate the U.S., according to border czar Tom Homan, who reported the capture and release of over 1,272 Iranian nationals without proper vetting. As Iran’s military capabilities have weakened, Hezbollah will revert to its role as the most prolific and capable terrorist organization. The FBI, law enforcement, and the intelligence community must be in hyperdrive to address what Homan has termed ‘the biggest national security vulnerability.’ Preventing terrorist attacks in the post-Biden era presents the greatest challenge since 9-11, with no resources spared to support this mission.