U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker warned Sunday that Iran faces a pivotal moment following President Trump’s recent military strikes on its nuclear infrastructure — while also raising alarms about national security threats posed by Iranian nationals who entered the U.S. under the Biden-era border policies.
Appearing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Whitaker called on Tehran to choose peace in the aftermath of its war with Israel and escalating tensions with the United States.
“President Trump, as a peacemaker, has made the world safer,” Whitaker told host Jason Chaffetz. “But we’re still dealing with the consequences of four years of Joe Biden — including a porous border that allowed over 1,200 known Iranian nationals to enter the country, not to mention over a million gotaways whose whereabouts remain unknown.”
‘Iran Cannot Have a Nuclear Weapon’
Whitaker reiterated Trump’s firm stance on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, emphasizing that the regime is now “at a decision point.”
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon. And now is the time for Iran to step forward, seek peace, and join a world that prioritizes prosperity and stability,” he said.
The Biden-era border policies are now under renewed scrutiny, with data showing that 1,504 Iranian nationals were arrested between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 — nearly half of whom were released into the U.S., according to CBP sources.
DHS Issues Warning After Trump Address
Just hours after Trump publicly confirmed the U.S. had targeted Iranian nuclear sites, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo warning of a “heightened threat environment” across the country. While no specific threats were listed, the bulletin came amid concerns that Iran may retaliate through cyberattacks, lone-wolf violence, or coordinated sleeper cell activity.
“The Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threats to the homeland,” DHS said in a statement. “These could include cyberattacks, violent incidents, and a spike in antisemitic hate crimes.”
Law Enforcement Faces Mounting Pressure
Whitaker said the risk of Iranian sleeper cells now places enormous pressure on federal agencies like the DOJ and FBI to detect and neutralize threats before they materialize.
“Our law enforcement has to be right 100% of the time,” Whitaker warned. “Iran should come to the table — make peace with the United States and Israel — and declare, ‘No more. We choose prosperity over destruction.’”
The warning comes as the Trump administration continues to press for a stronger national security framework and as lawmakers debate the next steps in America’s posture toward Iran and border enforcement.
