U.S. Braces for Increased Threats Following Strikes on Iran

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U.S. Braces for Increased Threats Following Strikes on Iran/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, announced from the White House that U.S. forces had launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Operation Midnight Hammer—a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions, which Tehran described as the collapse of any remaining path to diplomacy.

President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)

Deep Look Insights:

The U.S. anticipates cyber and kinetic threats both domestically and abroad.
Embassies worldwide issued shelter-in-place advisories, signaling broad concern.
The U.S. response strategy emphasizes deterrence: strong warnings coupled with restraint unless Americans are directly targeted.

U.S. Braces for Increased Threats Following Strikes on Iran

Deep Look

Rising U.S. Domestic Alerts

The Department of Homeland Security issued a Sunday advisory, warning of an elevated threat level across the U.S. due to the strikes. Officials expect a rise in low-level cyber assaults from pro-Iranian hacktivists targeting critical infrastructure, potentially from both independent and state-backed groups. The bulletin further cautions that extremist actors within the U.S. could “mobilize independently” in response to any religious decree from Iran calling for reprisals.

Additionally, foreign terrorist organizations have already issued calls for violence against American interests in the region, prompting DHS and FBI coordination with governors and local law enforcement to ensure preparedness and public safety.

Global Security Precautions

In a parallel move, the State Department issued a Worldwide Caution alert, advising U.S. citizens abroad of heightened risk. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar, mirroring U.K. guidance, urged personnel and Americans to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution.” Major American cities, including Washington D.C., have increased security around vulnerable sites such as synagogues, mosques, and key public venues.

Iran’s Immediate Response Strategy

At an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council, Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned the strikes, labeling them “unjustified aggression” and asserting that Iran’s military will determine the “timing, nature and scale” of any counterstrikes. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that all retaliation options remain on the table.

U.S. Deterrence Posture

In response, President Trump warned via Truth Social that any Iranian retaliation “will be met with FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”

Secretary Rubio, speaking on Face the Nation, emphasized that the U.S. seeks no further escalation unless American forces or bases are directly attacked. Meanwhile, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed officials have engaged with state leaders to ensure public safety—and that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been actively involved in communications.