US on alert: Heightened threat monitoring across states after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

In the wake of US strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, federal authorities and leaders across several major US cities and states have ramped up security measures and threat monitoring, citing concerns over possible retaliatory threats.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino affirmed the agency’s readiness in a message posted on X, stating, “Our assets are fully engaged. We remain vigilant. God bless America, and all those who defend Her.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the commitment, saying, “We will work unceasingly to protect the American homeland.”

Major cities on high alert

Local law enforcement agencies and municipal leaders from New York to Los Angeles have responded swiftly to the growing geopolitical tensions.

In New York City, officials have deployed additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic locations. “We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources... and coordinating with our federal partners,” the New York Police Department said in a statement.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the LAPD is increasing patrols near places of worship and other sensitive areas. “We will remain vigilant in protecting our communities,” she said.

Washington, DC, is also taking steps to protect its residents. The Metropolitan Police Department has increased its presence at religious institutions, with Mayor Muriel Bowser urging public awareness. “Together, we are monitoring intelligence and, as always, ask everyone to stay vigilant.”

Broader national response

Beyond the nation's largest cities, states including New Jersey, Texas, and Illinois have also issued alerts and are stepping up surveillance.

Authorities continue to coordinate with federal partners to assess potential threats in real time, reinforcing the nation’s defensive posture in response to evolving global developments.

US National Terrorism Advisory System on threat alert

The US Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System has published a bulletin warning of a “heightened threat environment” in the US homeland, according to a CBS News report.

The report said that the bulletin does not include warning of specific threats, but says “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”.

Precision strikes on nuclear sites

In a bold and unprecedented move, the United States has directly joined Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran, launching coordinated strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities — Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan — early Sunday morning.

The strikes, carried out under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved US B-2 stealth bombers, submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs aimed at fortified underground sites. Pentagon officials confirmed the mission met no Iranian resistance and inflicted “extremely severe damage.”

“We devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon briefing. “The operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.”

“Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference.

Trump declares victory, issues ultimatum

US President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a historic success in a televised address from the White House.

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran... All planes are now outside of Iran air space,” Trump said, later declaring: “This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR.”

He warned Tehran of further consequences if it retaliates, stating,

“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.”

Despite asserting that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear bomb, Trump defended the operation as a necessary step to prevent the country from acquiring one in the future.

Iran vows to respond

Iran swiftly condemned the strikes. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed the attacks on its nuclear sites but maintained its program would continue.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of launching “a dangerous war” and betraying diplomacy.

“The U.S. has itself launched a dangerous war against Iran,” the ministry said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added: “The warmongering, a lawless administration in Washington is solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences... The time for diplomacy has passed.”

Revolutionary Guard responds with missile barrage

Hours after the American strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched 40 missiles, including its advanced Khorramshahr-4, at Israeli targets. The Israeli military reported that over 80 civilians were injured, mostly lightly, and a high-rise building in Tel Aviv was heavily damaged.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US intervention.

“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities... will change history,” he said in a message directed at Trump. “The U.S. has done what no other country on earth could do.”

Casualties mount as conflict widens

According to Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group, Israeli strikes over the past nine days have killed at least 865 Iranians, including 363 civilians and 215 members of the security forces. Nearly 3,400 have been wounded.