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By Hollie Silverman
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned U.S. authorities on Monday of a heightened risk of retaliation from Iranian entities or their supporters following U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
An internal FBI memo, reviewed by the New York Times, stated that groups tied to Iran "historically targeted U.S. interests in response to geopolitical events, and they are likely to increase their efforts in the near term."
The agency urged field offices to monitor for potential threats, especially to military facilities and individuals seen as possible targets for reprisal.
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When contacted on Monday via email by Newsweek, the FBI declined to comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump on Saturday evening announced what he described as a "very successful attack" against three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The president's decision came after Israel and Iran have exchanged consistent strikes since June 13. Israel had urged the U.S. to target Iran's nuclear facilities, saying that Tehran was moving close to creating a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes—not for weapons.
On Monday, Iran declared on state television it had launched a missile strike on U.S. forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. A defense official told Newsweek that no Americans had been killed, and Qatar said its air defenses had "thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles."
Other forms of retaliation by Iran could include hostile acts or cyber-attacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure.
What To Know
The FBI's warning comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a terrorism bulletin on Sunday, saying the "ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States."
The agency cited a history of Iranian-linked plots targeting U.S. interests after international tensions, referencing the recent disruption of alleged assassination attempts on U.S. soil since 2020.
A bulletin posted Sunday by the DHS warned that the "ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States," according to its National Terrorism Advisory System update.
The bulletin identified likely risks, including low-level cyberattacks attributed to pro-Iranian hacktivists and potentially more sophisticated cyber operations carried out by Iranian state actors.
DHS advised that violent extremists based in the U.S. could mobilize if Iranian authorities called for attacks in response to American actions.
U.S.-Iranian tensions have been fraught for decades, with significant escalation during Trump's tenure after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Iran reportedly maintains a longstanding objective to target officials perceived as responsible for Soleimani's death, the DHS noted, alongside the elevated rhetoric from Iranian leaders pledging reciprocal action after Saturday's attack.
The U.S. State Department's Consular Affairs division issued a "worldwide caution" security alert advising Americans to remain vigilant overseas due to possible demonstrations and a higher risk to U.S. citizens and interests, following the strikes and subsequent warnings.
Armed organizations labeled as terrorist groups by the U.S. have also called for violence against U.S. targets in response to the recent U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran.
The international community has been closely watching the situation, with diplomats warning of the potential for wider conflict and disruption to global trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
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What People Are Saying
The Department of Homeland Security said in a bulletin Sunday: "The ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States. Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks. Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target US Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020."
Vice President JD Vance responded to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declaration that the U.S. strikes were the end of diplomacy on NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday: "We didn't blow up the diplomacy. The diplomacy never was given a real chance by the Iranians. Our hope...is that this maybe can reset here."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"
What Happens Next?
U.S. agencies continue to warn Americans to remain alert for retaliatory threats at home and abroad from Iran.
Update 6/23/25 4:23 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
Update 6/23/25 4:27 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
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