Advisory warns of ‘heightened threat environment’ in US after Iran strikes: CBS News
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Advisory warns of ‘heightened threat environment’ in US after Iran strikes
U.S. Department of Homeland Security warns of a “heightened threat environment” Cyber attacks by “pro-Iranian hacktivists” are likely, DHS says. Rights advocates have noted heightened Islamophobia and antisemitism in the U.S., since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza. Local authorities said late on Saturday they remained vigilant, adding there were no known credible threats.”The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase,” the bulletin says.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned on Sunday of a “heightened threat environment in the United States” following overnight U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Rights advocates have already noted heightened Islamophobia and antisemitism in the U.S. since the start of U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza following an October 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
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The DHS issued Sunday’s bulletin through its National Terrorism Advisory System and said the ongoing Iran conflict was causing the heightened threat environment.
Low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by “pro-Iranian hacktivists” are likely, the bulletin said, adding cyber actors affiliated with Iran’s government may also conduct cyber attacks.
“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,” the bulletin said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he “obliterated” Iran’s main nuclear sites with massive bunker-busting bombs, joining Israel’s assault against its Middle East rival. The Israel-Iran war began with Israel’s attacks on Iran on June 13.
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Local U.S. authorities said late on Saturday they remained vigilant, adding there were no known credible threats. In Los Angeles, Washington and New York City, law enforcement agencies said they stepped up patrols and deployed additional resources to religious, cultural and diplomatic sites.
The Israel-Iran war could contribute to U.S.-based individuals plotting additional attacks, the bulletin said, noting earlier attacks that it called antisemitic and anti-Israeli.
Recent U.S. incidents that have raised alarm over antisemitism and anti-Israel attitudes include the fatal Washington shooting of two Israeli embassy employees and a Colorado attack that wounded eight people when a suspect threw incendiary devices into a pro-Israeli crowd.
Incidents that increased concerns about anti-Muslim prejudice include the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian child in Illinois, the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Palestinian American girl in Texas and a violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters in California.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Nia Williams)
Pentagon says US operation against Iran nuclear sites inflicted ‘severe damage’
U.S. President Donald Trump said three key sites were ‘completely and fully obliterated’ US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation ‘was an incredible and overwhelming success’ Israel and Iran have exchanged wave after wave of devastating and deadly strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13. Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Detailing a complex strike mission dubbed “Midnight Hammer” that involved seven B-2 bombers and the deployment of Massive Ordnance Penetrator “bunker buster” bombs for the first time in a conflict, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the operation “was an incredible and overwhelming success”.
“It was powerful, and it was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it’s worth noting the operation, did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people,” Hegseth said in a press briefing at the Pentagon, adding that the operation “involved misdirection and the highest of operational security”.
Speaking with Hegseth, General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said “final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction”.
Israel and Iran have exchanged wave after wave of devastating and deadly strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Follow live updates as the world reacts to this critical development in the Middle East.
More from our coverage:
Reporting by Khushboo Razdan, Ziwen Zhao, Mark Magnier and Robert Delaney
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: India pledges to secure its domestic fuel supply as Iran parliament approves closing Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday morning (Indian time) that American forces successfully struck three Iranian nuclear sites. The targets — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — have long been central to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The operation was carried out by B-2 bombers, with all American aircraft safely leaving Iranian airspace after the strikes. The strikes come as tensions in the region enter their second week. Trump earlier gave Iran a two-week deadline to negotiate a nuclear deal with the US. Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the country had evacuated personnel from the three nuclear sites “some time ago” According to the broadcaster, Iran had relocated its nuclear stockpiles from those sites to secure locations.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is no other military like this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
The strikes come as tensions in the region enter their second week. Trump earlier gave Iran a two-week deadline to negotiate a nuclear deal with the US.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the country had evacuated personnel from the three nuclear sites in advance. The three nuclear sites the US says it struck “some time ago.” According to the broadcaster, Iran had relocated its nuclear stockpiles from those sites to secure locations.
What we know about Iran’s key nuclear sites
Natanz: Located 250 kilometers south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s largest uranium enrichment center. The facility houses six above-ground buildings and three underground halls capable of containing up to 50,000 centrifuges, which enrich uranium for potential weapons use.
Fordow: Situated deep inside mountains near Qom, Fordow is considered one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% at Fordow — well above civilian requirements — making it a significant target.
Isfahan: Home to Iran’s largest nuclear research complex, Isfahan houses a fuel production plant, research reactors, and other critical facilities. Established with Chinese support in 1984, the site is key to Iran’s nuclear program.
Why is Iran under attack? Iran is under attack primarily because Israel aims to halt Tehran’s nuclear program, which it views as an existential threat. Since June 13, 2025, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including uranium enrichment facilities and centrifuge production plants near Tehran and Isfahan. These strikes have killed hundreds, including civilians and military personnel, and damaged key infrastructure.
Israel’s goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability, which it believes would destabilise the Middle East and threaten Israeli security. In retaliation, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, escalating the conflict. The war also involves targeted killings of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders linked to arms transfers to proxy groups. Diplomatic efforts have so far failed, and Iran’s leadership warns that any US intervention would be extremely dangerous, underscoring the high stakes of this ongoing conflict.
What IAEA said? The IAEA, which initially flagged Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, told Sky News that despite Iran enriching uranium up to 60%, the agency cannot confirm any systematic effort by Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. However, Iran’s failure to meet its safeguards obligations, as noted in a recent IAEA report, combined with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion strikes, has heightened serious international concerns.
Live Updates
JD Vance gives no-nonsense warning to Iran if they try to attack the US
Vice President JD Vance issued a no-nonsense warning to Iran if the country decides to attack the US. He explained that if the nation decides to retaliate ‘they are going to be met with overwhelming force’ Vance went on to say that it is now up to Iran on what happens next, adding ‘that the ball is in their court’ President Donald Trump launched ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ Saturday night, sending a fleet of B-2 bombers to key nuclear sites in Iran. Israel responded by striking the Iranian port city of Bushehr, which hosts the nation’s only functioning nuclear power plant. Early Sunday morning, Iran retaliated by targeting a set of emergency services – with at least 16 people are injured, including a young man with shrapnel in his upper body. The National Terrorism Advisory System has warned of a ‘heightened threat environment in the United States’ following the strikes on Iran. US law enforcement has ‘disrupted multiple potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots in the U.S. since 2020’, the advisory said.
On Sunday morning, Vance, who said the US is ‘not at war’ with Iran, explained that if the nation decides to retaliate ‘they are going to be met with overwhelming force.’
‘I don’t think the president could be clearer about this,’ Vance told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl.
‘If you look at what we did yesterday John – we did not attack the nation of Iran, we did not attack any civilian targets, we didn’t even attack military targets outside of the three nuclear weapons facilities that we thought were important to accomplish our goal of preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon,’ he continued.
Vance went on to say that it is now up to Iran on what happens next, adding ‘that the ball is in their court.’
‘But if you look at what we did, it was very precise, very narrowly tailored to our objective. And if the Iranians decide to expand this then that’s ultimately their decision, and the president of the United States will respond in kind.’
The vice president also took a moment to confirm that the US is prepared ‘to defend as many of our people as possible’ if Iran decides to ‘attack us at a maximal direction.’
‘First of all, we’ve got maximum defensive posture. I think that we’re going to be able to defend as many of our people as possible, and of course, I’d encourage Americans to pray for our guys in the Middle East,’ Vance stated, adding that US troops are ‘under a significant amount of duress and a significant amount of threat right now.’
His response comes after President Donald Trump launched ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ Saturday night, sending a fleet of B-2 bombers to key nuclear sites in Iran.
On Sunday morning, Vice President JD Vance, who said the US is ‘not at war’ with Iran, warned if the nation decides to retaliate ‘they are going to be met with overwhelming force’
President Donald Trump launched ‘ Operation Midnight Hammer’ Saturday night , sending a fleet of B-2 bombers to key nuclear sites in Iran. (Pictured: Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant)
Now, the entire country and world watches to see what Iran will do next, leaving many fearful of a terror attack on US soil.
The National Terrorism Advisory System has warned of a ‘heightened threat environment in the United States’ following the strikes on Iran.
The alert, first reported by CBS News, said there is a heightened threat that ‘the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could motivate violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators seeking to attack targets.’
The bulletin further added that there is a risk of ‘low level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists.’
US law enforcement has ‘disrupted multiple potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots in the United States since 2020’, the advisory said.
On Sunday morning, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed the strikes as ‘bold’ and ‘brilliant.’
He also warned Iran that there would be dire consequences if it does not come to the negotiating table.
Hegseth said three key nuclear sites were ‘severely damaged’ around 2.10am Iranian time.
Vance went on to say that it is now up to Iran to see how the country will respond, adding ‘that the ball is in their court.’ (Pictured: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Wednesday)
‘We devastated the Iranian nuclear program. It’s worth noting the operation did not target the Iranian troops or the Iranian people,’ he continued.
‘Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated. Many presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran’s nuclear program. And none could – until President Trump.’
He declared: ‘American deterrence is back.’
Officials admitted that the strikes on the Fordow site, a deep underground nuclear enrichment facility, may not have been entirely destroyed in the operation.
Sources told the New York Times that the B-2 strikes on Iran’s facility in Fordow – a uranium enrichment site buried deep underground – did not entirely destroy the site.
The press conference came as Iran’s foreign minister branded Trump a ‘lawless bully’ who ‘betrayed’ diplomacy after the US blew up three nuclear bases – as he warned the world has been thrown into an ‘unprecedented level of danger.’
Early Sunday morning, Iran retaliated by targeting Israel in a devastating set of attacks – with emergency services reporting at least 16 people are injured, including a young man with shrapnel wounds to his upper body.
Israel responded by striking the Iranian port city of Bushehr, which hosts the nation’s only functioning nuclear power plant.
Republicans and Democrats alike have shared their fears and complaints about Trump’s decision to bomb Iran – something he said he was going to come to make a decision about within two weeks.
One of his top allies, Marjorie Taylor Greene, expressed her fears that terrorists will attack on US soil and cause ‘another foreign war.’
Soon after the bombs dropped, Greene took to X stating that she prayed Americans would not be targeted by terrorists ‘on our homeland’ in retaliation to Trump’s operative strike, noting that it may be possible after having an open border ‘for the past four years.’
Republicans and Democrats alike have shared their fears and complaints about Trump’s decision to bomb Iran – something he said he was going to make a decision about within two weeks
Greene wrote: ‘Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war. There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first.
‘Israel is a nuclear armed nation. This is not our fight. Peace is the answer.’
She added: ‘Let us pray that we are not attacked by terrorists on our homeland after our border was open for the past 4 years and over 2 Million gotaways came in. Let us pray for peace.’
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also raised doubt over Trump’s assessment that Iran was on the brink of developing nuclear weapons.
The Democrat said on X following the strike that he was told the nation was not close to developing a nuclear weapon when he was ‘briefed on the intelligence last week.’
‘Iran posed no imminent threat of attack to the United States,’ he said.
‘Iran was not close to building a deliverable nuclear weapon. The negotiations Israel scuttled with their strikes held the potential for success.’
Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Iran parliament orders closure of Strait of Hormuz, says report
Iran said that nothing can stop the growth of its nuclear programme. The death toll from the conflict has now crossed 400 in Iran, with the Iranian health ministry reporting 430 deaths. Health officials have further stated that over 3,500 people have been injured due to Israeli strikes and attacks in the region. In Israel, authorities have reported at least 24 deaths since the escalation of the conflict last week.
Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: As the Israel-Iran conflict rages on, the United States has now joined in on strikes against Iran and targeted three nuclear sites in the region. Speaking at the White House, Trump called the strikes a “spectacular success” and warned of “greater force” if Iran chooses to retaliate. As per the US president, the nuclear sites of Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow were targeted….Read More
Israel thanked Trump and the US for making the Middle East a “safer place” after its strikes against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further stated that Israel was informed in advance of the US’ strikes on Iran. In response to the US attack, Iran launched a barrage of missiles towards Israel, which have injured several people across the state.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the conflict has now crossed 400 in Iran, with the Iranian health ministry reporting 430 deaths. Health officials have further stated that over 3,500 people have been injured due to Israeli strikes and attacks in the region. In Israel, authorities have reported at least 24 deaths since the escalation of the conflict last week.
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated after Israel’s military strikes under ‘Operation Rising Lion’, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. In response, Iran has launched several drone attacks against Israel and continues to do so as the conflict enters its second week.
Iran Israel war | Latest developments here –