The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning about potential lone-wolf attacks and cyber threats on American soil amid ongoing military operations in Iran, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to ABC. The advisory, released in a law enforcement bulletin, underscores that while a large-scale physical attack remains improbable, Iran and its aligned groups—including Hezbollah and Hamas—could present persistent risks of targeted incidents within the U.S., particularly if reports regarding the death of Iran’s Ayatollah are confirmed. Officials note that in the near term, Iran-aligned hacktivists are expected to attempt low-level cyberattacks on U.S. networks, including website defacements and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) operations.
The bulletin was circulated a day before a shooting occurred in Austin, Texas, raising questions among authorities about whether the assailant might have been influenced by international events. Law enforcement sources informed media that the suspect in Austin was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah,” beneath which he wore a shirt displaying “Iran” and the Iranian flag. Investigations are ongoing regarding the suspect’s mental health and whether ideological motives played a role. DHS officials emphasized that historically, physical attacks by individuals inspired by Iran have been rare.
According to the bulletin, lone offenders within the United States have not typically acted on issues related to Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), or Shia violent extremism. Nonetheless, the document warns that perceived threats to the Iranian regime or intensified U.S. or Israeli actions could motivate U.S.-based extremists or perpetrators of hate crimes to target Jewish communities, pro-Israel organizations, or U.S. government and military facilities.
Derek Mayer, former Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Chicago Field Office and currently Chief Security Officer at P4, highlighted that law enforcement continuously monitors the potential for lone-offender attacks. “Authorities are alert every day for possible attacks. Following recent bombings in Iran, the risk may increase. Threats could occur at schools, churches, airports, or other high-profile locations,” Mayer said. He emphasized that while the threat environment is highly dangerous both in the U.S. and internationally, substantial intelligence and counter-surveillance efforts operate behind the scenes to mitigate risk.
Police agencies nationwide have responded by increasing patrols in areas with high foot traffic and at critical infrastructure sites. Officials stressed that these measures are part of broader strategies, including intelligence monitoring and covert security operations, which are not visible to the public but play a crucial role in preventing potential incidents.
Earlier we wrote that Netanyahu Confirms Israel-US Operation Against Iran Amid Missile Alerts and Air Defense Action
