Federal counterterrorism agencies are operating on a heightened state of alert following the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials in recent strikes, with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) preparing for potential retaliatory attacks on U.S. Soil. The increased vigilance comes amid a long history of Iranian plots targeting U.S. Interests and personnel, including assassination attempts against President Donald Trump.
The FBI and DHS have both entered what officials describe as a “war footing,” a posture previously adopted when anticipating responses to U.S. Military actions in Iran. While both agencies declined to comment on specific operational changes, experts familiar with Iranian capabilities warn of a credible threat. “Iran has developed this capability to carry out attacks abroad over many years,” said Matthew Levitt, a former FBI and Treasury Department counterterrorism official. “If there was ever a time the regime would desire to act on it, it would be now.”
Iran has already begun responding to the strikes with retaliatory actions across the Middle East, targeting countries hosting U.S. Military bases, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly vowed that “bloodshed and revenge” are Iran’s “legitimate right and duty.” The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of three American service members and injuries to five others.
The U.S. Government has a documented history of disrupting Iranian plots within the United States and against American citizens abroad, spanning at least 46 years. These plots have included assassination attempts and other forms of terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security plays a key role in securing the nation’s borders and critical infrastructure, while the FBI leads investigations into terrorist threats within the U.S.
The National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) serves as a central hub for analyzing terrorist information and coordinating intelligence efforts across the U.S. Intelligence community. The NCTC maintains a database of known and suspected terrorists and conducts strategic operational planning. The FBI’s counterterrorism efforts are its top investigative priority, utilizing both investigative and intelligence capabilities to neutralize domestic extremists and dismantle terrorist networks globally.
Understanding national security broadly encompasses a nation’s collective defense, intelligence, internal and external security, and foreign relations capabilities. Intelligence activities related to countering domestic terrorism and violent extremism can be conducted by agencies within the intelligence community, as well as by law enforcement agencies.
As of March 1, 2026, federal agencies continue to assess the evolving threat landscape and prepare for potential attacks. The Intelligence Community Inspector General (IC IG) is responsible for independent oversight of the Intelligence Community, including audits, investigations, and inspections to promote efficiency and integration.
