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Heightened Terror Threat as Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates

Heightened Terror Threat as Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates

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 The Department of Homeland Security has issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin warning of a heightened threat environment in the United States, linked specifically to ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Announced on June 22, the bulletin outlines concerns that Iran or Iranian-backed actors could engage in cyberattacks against US networks and possibly attempt physical retaliation within the US homeland, especially in the wake of recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that the ongoing Israel-Iran hostilities increase the risks not only of cyber intrusions, but also of violence and antisemitic hate crimes, as Iran has publicly condemned US actions and threatened consequences for what they describe as violations of international law.

The Department of Homeland Security urges enhanced vigilance over the next three months, with particular attention to threats against Jewish, pro-Israel, or US government-linked sites. Foreign terrorist organizations, including HAMAS, Hizballah, and affiliates of ISIS and al-Qa’ida, have stepped up calls for attacks on US assets both at home and abroad, leveraging the heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict to motivate potential lone offenders and small groups. According to ABC News, the first half of 2025 has already seen a series of five high-profile terrorist attacks within the United States, four of which law enforcement links to either the war in Gaza or radicalization by ISIS. Recent incidents include a truck rampage in New Orleans and the Molotov cocktail attack at a pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, which left nine people injured.

Federal agencies, including the FBI and DHS, are reiterating calls for public vigilance and urging the prompt reporting of any suspicious activity. This comes as both agencies note that foreign terrorist organizations may exploit narratives surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict to inspire additional attacks on US soil, particularly targeting Israeli, Jewish, or pro-Israel communities. Last month, another violent incident involved the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers after an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, with the attacker referencing grievances over US support for Israel.

Authorities warn that the current threat landscape is further complicated by the possibility of “homegrown violent extremists” acting independently, often with minimal advance preparation, and by Iran’s continued interest in retaliating against US officials it deems responsible for past military actions. The Department of Homeland Security states that law enforcement has already disrupted multiple potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots since 2020, but advises that the likelihood of further attempts may rise if Iranian leadership openly calls for violence.

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