By Steve Neavling
Federal officials issued a nationwide terrorism bulletin Sunday warning of a “heightened threat environment” in the United States following U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The bulletin, released by the Department of Homeland Security and first obtained by CBS News, cites no specific or credible threats but cautions that pro-Iranian hackers may launch low-level cyberattacks and that Iranian government-linked cyber actors could target U.S. networks.
“The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
U.S. law enforcement has disrupted several Iranian-backed plots since 2020, the bulletin notes, and officials warned that future violence could be triggered if Iranian leadership issues a religious call for retaliation. The alert also highlights a potential rise in hate crimes and lone-wolf attacks tied to escalating tensions abroad.
New York City police said they were increasing patrols around religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites out of an “abundance of caution.” The NYPD said it is coordinating with federal agencies.
The bulletin follows Saturday night’s U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, which President Trump said were aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Trump warned Tehran not to retaliate and threatened further strikes if Iran does not seek peace.
The military action came days after Israel began launching strikes on Iranian sites on June 13. According to human rights monitors and military officials, more than 650 people have been killed in Iran and at least 24 in Israel, with thousands more wounded.
Iran has vowed retaliation and declared the U.S. complicit in Israel’s actions, raising concerns about potential violence on U.S. soil and abroad.
Separately, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert advising Americans to exercise increased caution overseas, citing the risk of demonstrations and attacks targeting U.S. citizens and interests.
