US agencies prepare for potential threats of domestic terrorism following strikes on Iran

WASHINGTON — Domestic U.S. counterterrorism forces are on high alert for possible retaliation after U.S. troops and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran over the weekend that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

According to multiple reports, including from Fox News and USA Today, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have been placed on “war footing,” a state of maximum readiness prompted by armed conflict, to respond to any retaliatory strikes by the Tehran government. 

“If ever there’s going to be a Hezbollah cell or a Hamas cell act in the United States in a violent way, it’s now,” Chris Swecker, a former assistant FBI director, told Fox News. “Both organizations are Iranian-backed all the way. Both organizations have had a presence in the United States since the 1980s.” 

U.S. agencies are taking the threat seriously. 

In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said he had placed the agency’s counterterrorism and intelligence teams on “high alert” against any potential threats. 

The FBI and DHS have long been the country’s frontline defense against threats of domestic terrorism. The agencies are often responsible for coordinating the response to acts of large-scale violence, such as mass shootings at schools or businesses. 

In an interview with USA Today, former FBI counterterrorism official Matthew Levitt said the U.S. is right to be concerned. 

“Iran has developed this capability to carry out attacks abroad over many years,” Levitt said. “If there was ever a time the regime would want to act on it, it would be now.”

This comes as the FBI is investigating a Texas bar shooting that killed two and wounded 14 as a potential act of terrorism. 

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference on Sunday morning that the suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, was driving a large SUV, circled the block several times before stopping, turned on the SUV’s hazard lights and began firing a handgun. 

Police said Diagne then parked, got out and continued shooting with a pistol and later a rifle. Officers who were stationed nearby at the time opened fire on the shooter, killing him.

FBI officials said they were still working to determine a motive, but FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran said his agents had uncovered potential terrorist ties. 

“Obviously it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation,” he said. “But there were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism.”

At a Monday press conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about the potential connection between the Austin attack and the strikes in Iran. 

“This is a regime that seeks to export that ideology, that seeks to export terror. We’re ready for that,” Hegseth said. “(Austin) doesn’t change the operation at all.”