WASHINGTON – Federal counterterrorism agencies moved to a maximum alert status Monday following a weekend of unprecedented military escalation that has left the Middle East on the brink of total war. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are currently operating on what officials describe as a “war footing” after a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in Tehran successfully targeted and killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The strike, part of a lightning campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” has decapitated the top tier of the Iranian regime. While the White House frames the mission as a “pre-emptive” strike to prevent nuclear breakout and regional destabilization, intelligence officials warn the domestic threat of asymmetric retaliation has never been higher.
Federal Agencies Mobilize Amid “Grave Threat”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Sunday that the bureau’s more than 200 Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) have been fully mobilized to disrupt potential sleeper cell activity within the United States.
“Our JTTFs are working 24/7 to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland,” Patel stated via social media. “While the military handles force protection overseas, the FBI remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the urgency, noting that she is in “direct coordination” with federal intelligence partners to thwart domestic plots. However, the internal mobilization comes at a precarious time; a lapse in federal funding has complicated the DHS mission, leaving the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) website unmanaged since mid-February despite the soaring risk profile.
The Anatomy of the Threat: Assassinations and Cyberwar
Intelligence analysts suggest that Iran’s retaliatory playbook likely includes three primary vectors:
Targeted Assassinations: Iranian operatives have a documented history of plotting against U.S. officials. High-profile targets like former National Security Adviser John Bolton—who was previously targeted in a 2022 plot—remain under heightened scrutiny.
Sleeper Cell Activation: Experts warn that “lone wolf” actors or established proxy cells (such as those linked to Hezbollah) could be activated to strike “soft targets” like transit hubs or places of worship.
Cyber Warfare: DHS bulletins have warned that “pro-Iranian hacktivists” are likely to launch disruptive attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure and financial networks.
A History of Domestic Plots
The current alert is not without precedent. Since the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani, U.S. authorities have disrupted at least 17 Iranian plots on American soil. Just last year, federal prosecutors charged individuals in a murder-for-hire plot targeting President Donald Trump, and another suspect, Asif Merchant, is currently on trial for a 2024 terrorism plot.
“Iran has developed this capability to carry out attacks abroad over many years,” said Matthew Levitt, a former FBI counterterrorism official. “If there was ever a time the regime would want to act on it, it would be now.”
Regional Fallout and the “12-Day War” Legacy
The assassination of Khamenei follows a year of mounting tensions, including the “Operation Midnight Hammer” strikes in June 2025 which targeted Iranian nuclear sites. While those strikes were intended to delay Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, they instead precipitated the current “12-day war” environment.
Already, Iran has launched waves of missiles targeting U.S. bases in Bahrain and the UAE, resulting in at least three American service member fatalities. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared “bloodshed and revenge” as the regime’s “legitimate right.”
What to Watch
As the U.S. military continues “major combat operations” in the region, the domestic focus remains on public vigilance. The FBI has urged citizens to report suspicious activity via the 1-800-CALL-FBI tip line. In the coming days, the Senate is expected to move on emergency DHS funding to restore full operational capacity to the nation’s primary warning systems.
