US warns of ‘heightened threat environment’ after strikes on Iran, warns citizens abroad to be cautious

The US Department of Homeland Security warns Americans that the “ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States.”

Iranian and pro-Iran actors are likely to launch cyberattacks against US networks, DHS says in a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin.

“The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,” it adds.

“Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks.”

Meanwhile, the US State Department “advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution,” amid “the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”

The US has also begun flights to evacuate US citizens from Israel, and provides a form online for Americans looking to join one.

No such flights are expected for citizens looking to leave Iran, the State Department notes.