US in ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ After Iranian Threat of Reprisal for Bombing

WASHINGTON — Tenuous international efforts to reinstate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel continued Tuesday but did nothing to eliminate the warnings of reprisal against the United States.

The result is security alerts in Washington, D.C., and throughout the nation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned in an advisory of a “heightened threat environment” after Saturday’s U.S. bombing of nuclear sites in Iran.

Its National Terrorism Advisory System said “low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against U.S. networks.”

In addition, the State Department issued a “Worldwide Caution” against a “potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”

Since the shooting started two weeks ago, foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks against U.S. assets and personnel in the Middle East, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

An internal U.S. Customs and Border Protection memo said the threat of Iranian-backed sleeper cells in the United States has “never been higher.” It added that “thousands of Iranian nationals have been documented entering the United States illegally and countless more were likely in the known and unknown got-a-ways.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation held a conference call with state and local law enforcement agencies Sunday to advise them on how to prepare for the heightened risks.

Locally in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said she consulted with federal security officials on best security practices.

“Together, we are monitoring intelligence and, as always, ask everyone to stay vigilant,” Bowser wrote on X. “If you see something, say something.”

In New York City, police are increasing patrols around diplomatic, religious and cultural sites most likely to be targeted by foreign adversaries. Jewish synagogues are getting some of the closest scrutiny.

“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran,” the New York Police Department said in a post on X. “We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”

The security warnings also inflamed partisan politics in Washington over who should be blamed for the heightened risks.

In one example, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said that “we are at an increased threat level today — and apparently for at least the next three months — because of Donald Trump’s actions in the Middle East.”

He called for a congressional investigation to review whether Homeland Security and FBI officials are taking adequate measures to protect the United States. He blamed Trump administration efforts to save money by downsizing the government for increasing the nation’s security risks.

“We are also more vulnerable to attack today because the Trump administration has decimated our cyber defenses in the name of ‘government efficiency,’” Thompson said in a statement. “We are more vulnerable to attack today because the Trump administration has prioritized low level immigration enforcement over counterterrorism.”

If Iran does counterattack the United States, Trump has warned the consequences would be devastating for the Islamic country.

“There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” Trump said.

He said the American reprisal could lead to the end of the current Iranian political regime.

The Iranians responded by saying they never will succumb to foreign pressure to alter their government.

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