Iran Retaliation: US Terror Threat Levels Surge

0:00On March 16, experts warned that the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran has spiked the risk of terrorist attacks on American soil. To levels not seen since the al-Qaeda strikes on September 11, 2001, Iran long accused of backing militant groups, now faces revenge plots amid the loss of its supreme leader and damaged nuclear sites. Recent incidents include a fatal shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia, a truck attack on a Michigan synagogue and a deadly bar rampage in Austin, Texas on March 1. These events come after U.S. strikes began on February 28 following a prior conflict last June. While no direct ties to Tehran exist yet, analysts point to Iran's history of asymmetric retaliation, including 17 foil plots in the last five years. Authorities recently convicted a Pakistani national for scheming to assassinate top U.S. figures at Iran's direction. Counterterrorism specialists highlight Iran's use of sleeper cells, lone actors and criminal

1:03proxies, urging vigilance even if past efforts seemed. Amateurish. One only needs to succeed once. Officials also note intercept the communications possibly activating agents. U.S. readiness faces challenges, with the FBI redirecting agents and the Department of Homeland Security facing funding cuts over immigration disputes. Officials have shifted from terror threats to other priorities, like border control. As mid-term elections near in November, some fear an attack could politically benefit the administration, justifying emergency measures amid thinking, approval ratings. The threat lingers post-war as Iran seeks long-term deterrence against future strikes.