(NewsNation) — Major cities across the United States have ramped up security efforts in case of potential sleeper cells or cyberattacks from Iran, and they are getting the FBI’s assistance.
The FBI is reportedly shifting resources in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia towards Iran and domestic threats and away from immigration enforcement.
The agency has also told its field offices to be in close communication with the Department of Defense and the National Guard, too, because military sites could be targets as well.
The FBI did not comment on the operational decisions.
A source close to the White House told NewsNation, the Trump administration is actively monitoring sleeper cells — individual spies — waiting to be activated by Iran.
“I think that there is a reasonable concern here, but I also know that the Islamic Republic wants to survive, and if they pick this kind of fight with the United States, I cannot, cannot imagine that this is going to sit well with Donald Trump,” said Jonatha Schanzer, former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury.
“I don’t think it’s going to sit well with the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. I mean, you’ve got a bunch of no-nonsense guys; they’re not going to take this lightly. But I think the regime understands this, so they’re probably going to have to tread carefully here.”
Along with New York City and Washington, D.C., law enforcement has beefed up its presence at religious sites, cultural institutions, and diplomatic sites.
NYPD sources told NewsNation they will be on heightened alert for domestic retaliation, which they have been for a while, securing soft targets with a presence where possible. But, they are being vigilant that the major threat is still lone wolf-style attacks.
During last year’s presidential campaign, federal prosecutors charged an operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard and 2 U.S.-based people with planning to surveil and assassinate President Trump.
The Operative reportedly told investigators that IRGC officials encouraged him to plan the attack.
Iran has also been behind some cyberattacks.
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Author: Rob Taub
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