Washington – Federal authorities are increasingly concerned about the possibility that Iran or its supporters are retaliation on American soil after.
In an internal email sent on Sunday, high FBI officials warned that Iran and its allies “historically targeted US interests in response to geopolitical events, and are likely to increase their short-term efforts.”
They recommended that regional offices monitor their information collection platforms and maintain close contact with the Defense Department, including the National Guard, “which may be retaliated,” while “special attention should be given” to US military facilities related to Iran attacks.
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In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams said more police officers will be on duty in religious, cultural and diplomatic places “by precaution”, given the situation in the Middle East.
Iran, which the United States designated as a sponsoring state of terrorism, has long supported a network of militias throughout the Middle East in an attempt to expand its influence on the region and weaken Israel. These militias include Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, which control parts of the Yemen.
Separately, the US Department of Internal Security (DHS) has issued a security report stating that “Iran’s ongoing conflict” has raised safety concerns in the country and adding that pro-band hacking cyber attacks are likely.
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“The likelihood of violent extremists in the country mobilizing independently to violence in response to the conflict would probably increase whether Iranian leadership issued a religious decision by calling retaliatory violence against targets in the country,” says the newsletter.
He notes that “cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government can make attacks on US networks.”
These warnings are typical after significant US military actions abroad, reflecting the concern of national security officers that people living in the United States can get angry or feel compelled to react violently. The relationship between Iran and the United States has been tense in recent years, especially since US authorities have accused Iran of trying to murder US officials, as well as Iranian dissidents in the country.
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In a teleconference on Sunday, DHS and FBI officials warned state and local agents about the possibility of threats to US communities. During the call, the non -profit organization Secure Community Network, which offers consulting and security training for Jewish facilities in North America, said the level of threats is very high.
“Iran would not attack the US unless a red line was crossed,” said Michael Masters, CEO of the group, according to a summary of the call. “This red line was evaluated as a direct military engagement, especially aiming at Iran’s nuclear facilities. This red line has now been crossed.”
The internal security department report has stated that the war between Iran and Israel “can also motivate violent extremists and hatred crimes to attack perceived targets such as Jewish, pro-Israel or linked to the US government or military forces in the country.”
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Former FBI employees said Bureau is well prepared for these situations and will ask informants to check for further threats while examining existing cases, including possible surveillance of investigated people.
In the email sent on Sunday, the FBI advised to prioritize complaints potentially associated with Iran or its allies.
Carlos Fernandez, a former FBI senior agent responsible for New York’s anti-terrorism division, said agents should seriously take the possibility of sleeping cells in the United States, especially since Iran was accused of planning to kill Donald Trump before last year’s election and a New York human rights activist.
In fact, Bureau also discovered Hezbollah members who trained in Lebanon and then moved to the United States, where they were arrested in Michigan and New York and accused of terrorism.
“It’s very real,” he said. “It’s a legitimate concern.”
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