As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, law enforcement and federal officials in the United States remain vigilant amidst concerns about potential Iranian retaliation. While authorities assert that there are no specific, credible threats currently, the situation has escalated following recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The U.S. military’s recent operation involved launching B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles against three Iranian nuclear sites, a move that has drawn sharp condemnation from Iranian officials.
Elizabeth Neumann, a former assistant secretary for counterterrorism at the Department of Homeland Security during President Donald Trump’s administration, indicated that any optimism about a calm response would be misguided.
“We would be foolish to assume that they’re not plotting revenge even if we can’t see it right now. It will come, and we need to maintain vigilance because if we don’t, they will use the element of surprise to their advantage and cause harm,” Neumann stated.
The heightened security environment was already a concern prior to the military action, fueled by a series of high-profile terrorist incidents in the first half of 2025. These included a deadly truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day and a Molotov cocktail incident in Boulder, Colorado on June 1.
The uptick in extremist violence coincides with increasing assaults and harassment incidents linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has intensified tensions across the nation
Following the U.S. strikes, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphatically stated, “We will not surrender,” while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi promised revenge with “everlasting consequences,” denouncing the U.S. actions as “dangerous, lawless, and criminal behavior.”
Araghchi asserted, “In accordance with the U.N. Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.”
As a show of force, Iran executed a missile attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a base that is home to U.S. military personnel. Fortunately, U.S. Central Command reported that the defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles, resulting in no casualties.
Later in the week, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran; however, tensions continued to simmer.
In response to the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Department of Homeland Security issued a nationwide bulletin highlighting a “heightened threat environment” due to the conflict. The bulletin flagged the increased likelihood of low-level cyberattacks targeting U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists and Iranian-affiliated cyber actors.
Neumann compared the current situation to Iran’s reaction following the U.S. drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad back in January 2020. Just days after Soleimani’s death, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard launched a ballistic missile attack on the U.S. Al Asad air base in Iraq, resulting in over 100 U.S. service members suffering traumatic brain injuries.
“We were definitely very concerned about the potential for something to happen in the homeland,” Neumann recalled.
The DHS had anticipated that Iran would activate sleeper cells within the U.S. and that affiliated groups like Hezbollah could also be involved in attacks against American interests.
Neumann noted that Iran’s response to the Al Asad airbase attack was largely symbolic and aimed at reassuring its domestic audience.
In recent historical context, the Iranian regime has shown a “long memory” regarding perceived slights and retribution.
Neumann asserted, “The Iranian regime … recognizes that they do not have the strength right now to get back at us. But they will wait and they will look for opportunities to cause harm.”
With a series of events indicating Iran’s ongoing retaliatory mentality, she highlighted a disturbing incident from August 2022 when a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard allegedly attempted to pay $300,000 for the assassination of John Bolton, a key figure in the Trump administration’s national security apparatus.
Furthermore, in November 2024, it was revealed that three individuals, including an alleged operative of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, were charged in murder plots linked to Iran, one seeking to target then-President-elect Trump as a means of vengeance for Soleimani’s death.
A recent threat assessment by the Center for Internet Security suggests that Iran is likely to employ a range of tactics—direct, proxy, and irregular forces—to execute physical, cyber, or terrorist attacks against U.S. interests domestically and abroad as a result of the military action against its nuclear sites.
The assessment highlights that because of the Israeli strikes and the challenges faced by the Iranian proxy network across the Middle East, Iran may resort to “crude or escalatory tactics”.
U.S. embassies, military bases abroad, and critical infrastructure within the U.S. are likely to be prime targets.
Additionally, the bulletin from the DHS and FBI has raised alarms about large events potentially becoming venues for violence, given that historical trends show violent extremists could seek to exploit public gatherings.
In light of increasing threats, the FBI is proposing to redirect numerous agents from immigration efforts toward counterterrorism and cyber threat investigations, a move aimed at enhancing national security amidst alarming developments.
Richard Frankel, a retired FBI agent, commented that while credible threats have not been detected, chatter indicating potential danger remains.
In an ABC News Live interview, Frankel noted that the FBI has taken proactive steps to inform state governors about the elevated threat level, with measures being introduced in cities like New York.
The NYPD has adopted heightened security protocols for prominent landmarks and religious institutions such as the Empire State Building and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Moreover, Don Mihalek, a retired Secret Service agent, emphasized the threat of Iran or its proxies inciting “lone wolf” attackers to carry out disruptive acts in the U.S.
Mihalek highlighted, “I think that’s the bigger issue that everybody is worried about because I don’t think the Iranians are dumb enough to launch a state-sponsored, flag-waving attack against the continent of the United States.”
Instead, he expressed concern that Iranian supporters could find radicalized individuals who, with minor encouragement, might create chaos with low-level attacks across various locations.
As the threat assessment noted, the potential for activating sleeper cells remains a real concern.
During a recent House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on commerce and justice, Attorney General Pam Bondi was questioned by Representative Tony Gonzales regarding the number of Iranian sleeper cells in the United States.
Bondi acknowledged that she could not provide specific details but conveyed confidence in the ongoing efforts of Homeland Security and the FBI to safeguard the nation.
In response to Gonzales’s inquiry on active threat cases currently open at the Department of Justice, Bondi stated there are “countless” cases without further elaboration.
In addressing the heightened security concerns related to the Fourth of July holiday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that the potential for threats is not limited to Iran alone.
Noem stated, “We’re aware that some of these folks that may have come into our country could’ve been radicalized and so that is why we go out every day to identify individuals that could be a threat to our homeland.”
She noted the presence of various nations posing threats to the U.S. and underscored heightened vigilance in light of escalating tensions, particularly as the Fourth of July approaches.
As citizens prepare to celebrate, Mihalek offered insights on proactive measures individuals can take to ensure their safety.
He advised attendees of large events, especially around Independence Day, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to authorities.
“If you see something strange or have somebody in your orbit who is acting strange, you want to let somebody know so they can look at it and investigate it. Often when that happens, the threat is mitigated before it becomes a problem,” Mihalek explained.
Furthermore, he urged people to be conscious of their environment during public gatherings, emphasizing the importance of knowing exit routes and maintaining awareness of those around them.
As the nation gears up for a day of celebration, officials urge preparedness and caution in light of the potentially volatile landscape, balancing patriotism with the need for safety amid ongoing international tensions.
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