# America on High Alert: Iran Threat Escalates as U.S. Braces for Attacks at Home and Online

U.S. officials are warning that the country remains in a heightened but managed state of alert for terrorism, as the war with Iran continues and concerns grow over both foreign plots and domestic extremism.

On Forbes Breaking News, counterterrorism analyst Dr. Matthew Levitt of the Washington Institute told listeners that the United States is “at a heightened threat” because it is now at war with what he called a long‑time state sponsor of terrorism, but he emphasized that federal, state, and local agencies have been preparing for this scenario “for a very long time.” He said authorities are particularly focused on the possibility of Iranian‑linked “sleeper” operatives and sympathizers being activated to conduct attacks, as well as individuals inspired online by Iranian propaganda, similar to the way ISIS and al‑Qaida have radicalized supporters in the past. Levitt added that, while catastrophic attacks are possible, security services are on alert and the more likely near‑term danger ranges from lone‑offender shootings or stabbings to vehicle rammings and small bombings, rather than large coordinated plots.

He also highlighted a significant cyber dimension, noting prior Iranian intrusions into U.S. critical infrastructure, including a small dam in New York and systems at Boston Children’s Hospital. According to Levitt, denial‑of‑service attacks or other cyber operations that disrupt banking or basic services are considered more likely than mass‑casualty strikes, but they could still generate widespread anxiety and economic damage.

At the same time, broader political signals in Washington are reinforcing how officials are framing the threat. NTD News reports that the House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly passed a resolution reaffirming Iran as “the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism,” underscoring bipartisan concern about Tehran’s global networks even as some lawmakers questioned the wording and scope. The network also notes that U.S. military leaders describe their campaign against Iran as targeting what they characterize as a “terrorist regime” and its regional proxies, including Lebanese Hezbollah and other groups that have previously plotted against U.S. interests.

Despite the elevated rhetoric and the ongoing conflict, Levitt urged listeners not to panic, saying Americans should be “vigilant and aware” but continue their normal lives, trusting that law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively monitoring potential plots. He cautioned that the threat will likely fluctuate with the course of the war and could outlast any formal cease‑fire, as both Iranian‑aligned groups and adversaries of Iran may see opportunities to strike U.S. targets.

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