Iranian ‘Sleeper Cells’ Could Be Activated Inside US: Terrorism Experts
American counterterrorism agencies are closely monitoring suspected sleeper cells within the United States following coordinated military strikes by the U.S. and Israel targeting Iran, according to sources citing counterterrorism experts. Heightened vigilance comes amid growing concerns that Iranian-backed operatives or sympathizers could retaliate domestically.
Federal and local law enforcement have increased security measures across major U.S. cities as a precaution, even though no specific, credible threats have been publicly confirmed.
The alert follows a weekend operation, Operation Epic Fury, which successfully eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top Iranian officials in a joint U.S.-Israeli effort. Security experts warn the consequences of these strikes may extend well beyond the Middle East.
“If ever there’s going to be a Hezbollah cell or a Hamas cell act in the United States in a violent way, it’s now,” Chris Swecker, former assistant FBI director, told Fox News.
“Both organizations are Iranian-backed all the way. Both organizations have had a presence in the United States since the 1980s,” he added, emphasizing that domestic networks and sympathizers have long been under scrutiny by state and federal authorities.
Swecker also criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies, arguing they created vulnerabilities that could be exploited by extremists. “We just come off four years of open borders… Many were already here, but it’s impossible that they would not infiltrate into these particular groups and sort of act as catalysts, as enablers,” he said.
In response to the strikes, FBI Director Kash Patel has placed counterterrorism and intelligence teams on high alert. “Last night, I instructed our Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all assisting security assets needed,” Patel posted on X.
While the U.S. military handles force protection abroad, Patel emphasized that the FBI “remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home” and will continue working around the clock to safeguard Americans.
Jason Pack, a retired supervisory special agent with the FBI, noted that elevated domestic monitoring is standard whenever the United States engages in operations with adversaries known to employ unconventional tactics. “The intelligence and counterterrorism communities work on this kind of scenario continuously, long before any conflict begins… The domestic threat environment doesn’t simply remain static. It could shift, potentially significantly,” Pack explained.
Groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas’s external networks, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps proxies have both the intent—and in some cases the capability—to retaliate against U.S. military actions, experts warn.
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) confirmed the state is “seriously” evaluating the threat of Iranian sleeper cells, according to The Hill. Authorities are investigating a Sunday shooting in Austin as a potential terrorist attack. The gunman killed two and injured 14 others while wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah” and an Iranian flag design.
“Early that morning, we made clear to the public that the state of Texas is taking seriously the possibility of terrorist activity, lone wolf, lone wolf activity,” Abbott told Fox News.
With American forces and allies striking decisively abroad, the U.S. homeland remains on alert, reminding citizens that vigilance is a cornerstone of national security.