Iran delivered a threatening message to President Donald Trump warning of potential sleeper cell terrorist attacks within the United States if the country faced military action, according to multiple sources familiar with the communication. The warning preceded Saturday night's American strikes on Iranian nuclear installations.
The threatening communiqué reached Trump through an intermediary during the G7 summit in Canada, which the president departed early on June 16 to evaluate his response options in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, NBC News reported. Two US officials and an individual with knowledge of the threat confirmed the details of the Iranian warning.
NBC News contacted the White House multiple times for comment but received no response, while the Iranian Mission to the United Nations also declined to provide a statement. The threat represents a significant escalation in the diplomatic tensions surrounding the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Trump responded to potential Iranian retaliation through social media, declaring that any retaliatory action against the United States "WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT." His administration has implemented heightened security measures alongside law enforcement agencies in major metropolitan areas, preparing for possible domestic retaliation.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a public warning stating that the "Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States." The agency outlined concerns about increased possibilities of terrorist attacks on American soil, particularly "if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland."
DHS also highlighted Iran's potential for launching cyberattacks against US networks and targeting current and former government officials whom Tehran holds responsible for the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The warning reflects growing concerns about Iran's capability to project power beyond traditional military means.
Historical attempts by Iran to conduct operations within the United States have faced significant challenges and limited success. However, intelligence officials remain vigilant about the country's evolving capabilities and network of potential operatives.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the threat during an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press," stating that the administration is examining the possibility of a homeland attack "very closely." Vance expressed confidence in law enforcement's ability to address the threat effectively.
The vice president raised concerns about insufficient accounting of individuals who may have entered the country during President Joe Biden's administration without proper security screening. "We know that some of those people were on terrorism watch lists," Vance said during the interview.
A European diplomat involved in Iran-related issues told NBC News that the United States and allied nations believe Iran possesses the capability to target European and American citizens beyond US territory and outside the Middle East region. The assessment underscores the global reach of potential Iranian retaliation efforts.
