The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has circulated an internal memo to law enforcement partners across the United States, alerting them to an elevated threat environment triggered by the current military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
The document, described as a Situational Awareness report, underscores the risk of retaliatory actions by the Government of Iran (GOI) in response to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. It particularly flags potential physical threats directed at U.S. military and government personnel and facilities, Jewish and Israeli institutions along with their perceived supporters, and Iranian dissidents or anti-regime activists living in the United States.“Violent extremists with a variety of ideological backgrounds, including those who oppose the U.S. or Israel, also may see this conflict as a justification for violence,” the memo states.
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According to the bulletin, the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) have not identified any specific, credible threat to the general American public at this time. However, officials continue to view the Iranian government as posing a persistent danger to U.S. government and military officials, Jewish and Israeli interests, and Iranian dissidents operating within the country.
The memo further expresses concern that domestic violent extremists — spanning a wide range of ideologies and grievances, including anti-U.S., anti-Israel, and antisemitic motivations — could be inspired by the high-profile U.S. military actions to carry out attacks. Factors such as graphic imagery from the conflict, reports of civilian casualties, inflammatory statements from Iranian government or religious leaders, or calls to action by foreign terrorist organizations could accelerate radicalization and mobilization to violence.
This advisory comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli military operations targeting Iranian assets. While the immediate focus remains overseas, U.S. authorities are urging vigilance at home for possible lone-actor incidents or opportunistic attacks by individuals sympathetic to Iran or motivated by broader anti-Western or antisemitic sentiments.
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to remain alert, enhance security measures around sensitive sites, and monitor for any signs of planning or radicalization. The bulletin emphasizes proactive information-sharing between federal, state, and local partners to detect and disrupt potential plots early.
No public National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) alert has been issued in direct connection with this specific memo, though similar warnings have circulated in recent months amid the escalating conflict. Officials stress that while the overall threat picture has intensified, there is currently no evidence of an imminent large-scale attack on U.S. soil.
The FBI has a long-standing record of monitoring and disrupting Iranian-linked plots inside the United States, including surveillance of Jewish and Israeli targets and attempts to target dissidents. This latest guidance serves as a precautionary measure to ensure that law enforcement at all levels is prepared for any spillover effects from the Middle East conflict.
