The Trump administration is ramping up national security alerts following what some have called a breakdown in the fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire this week.
A National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security on June 22 warns Americans of heightened threats of attacks from Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
DHS officials cautioned that low-level cyberattacks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are already underway in the United States, with more serious cyber operations or physical violence possible if Iranian leadership calls for direct action.
“The ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States. Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks. Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target US Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020,” the bulletin reads.
In a blunt statement earlier today, Trump voiced some skepticism about the negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Iran. On his way to a NATO meeting, Trump dropped the F-bomb when describing the situation:
“They don’t know what the f** they’re doing,” he said, referring to the long and convoluted fight between Iran and Israel.
He later posted on Truth Social:
“Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally! It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!”
Bulletin Signals Shift from Biden-Era Focus
The latest DHS terrorism advisory bulletin marks a major shift from those issued under former President Joe Biden.
The last terror advisory bulletin, posted under Biden in 2023 had focused largely on domestic political tensions, election-related grievances, and threats against “LGBTQIA+ communities,” rather than focusing on foreign threats of terrorism.
The current advisory, by contrast, zeroes in on real external threats tied to Iran’s long-standing hostility toward America, including the risk of plots targeting government officials, American infrastructure, as well as the previously mentioned cyber-attacks.
“Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks,” the bulletin says.
Local law enforcement agencies, including police departments in New York City, have already boosted security at synagogues, consulates, and other sensitive locations due to the geopolitical heat this month, according to CBS News.
The State Department has also issued new travel advisories for countries across the world, urging Americans to exercise increased caution abroad during the rising threat of demonstrations or attacks on the country.