Summary
- The United States has declared a maximum alert level in response to threats of Iranian retaliation.
- The Department of Homeland Security and the National Terrorism Advisory System officially warned of increased risks of cyberattacks and terrorism.
- New York City has strengthened counterterrorism measures, expanding protection over key infrastructure.
Maximum Alert Level Activated
Following Iran's warning of retaliation after the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, U.S. authorities issued terrorism threat alerts across the country on the 22nd (local time).
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement saying, "Due to ongoing tensions with Iran, the threat level in the United States has risen," and expressed concern that "pro-Iranian hackers are highly likely to launch low-level cyberattacks against U.S. networks, and cyber organizations connected to the Iranian government could attempt attacks." DHS continued, "Iran has persistently targeted U.S. government officials whom they hold responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander in January 2020," and warned that "should Iranian leaders issue religious declarations urging retaliatory violence on American soil, there is a heightened risk that extremists within the country might voluntarily commit acts of violence." Citing recent terrorist incidents in the United States, many of which were based on anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, it was noted that the current Israel-Iran conflict could serve as further motivation for terrorist plots.
DHS urged enhanced cybersecurity, close information sharing with local authorities and intelligence agencies, and immediate reporting of any suspicious activities. The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) also cautioned that "violent extremists or hate crime groups may target and attack for purposes of retaliation."
New York, where the World Trade Center (WTC) collapsed in the September 11, 2001 attacks, has entered a 'maximum alert status.' Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, stated that following the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, "the city has increased police deployments to major religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites." The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey immediately implemented counterterror protection measures.
Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, also issued a separate statement the same day, stressing that, "Given New York's global prominence, we are taking this situation extremely seriously."
New York = Shin-Young Park, Correspondent nyusos@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
