Photo: alxpin / E+ / Getty Images
The FBI issued a warning about Iran's potential plans to retaliate against the United States, specifically targeting California with drone attacks. This alert comes in the wake of recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top officials. The situation has put federal counterterrorism agencies on high alert, with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security mobilizing resources to prevent any potential threats on American soil.
The FBI and DHS have been on a war footing since the strikes on Iran, and there are concerns that Iran could use asymmetric warfare tactics, including drone attacks, to retaliate. Iran has already launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, targeting countries hosting U.S. military bases. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that "bloodshed and revenge" are Iran's "legitimate right and duty."
Federal authorities are particularly concerned about the possibility of sleeper cells or lone wolf actors carrying out attacks in the U.S. The Los Angeles Times reports that cryptic messages, likely of Iranian origin, have been broadcast globally, potentially serving as operational triggers for sleeper assets in the U.S.
The Council on Foreign Relations highlights that Iran has a long history of using terrorism as a tool of foreign policy, and its current conflict with the U.S. could embolden new threats. The FBI and DHS have urged local law enforcement to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.