If You See Something, Say Something SM. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or call 911.
The National Terrorism Advisory System provides information on homeland security issues and threats. It is distributed by the Department of Homeland
Security. More information is available at: www.dhs.gov/advisories. To receive mobile updates: www.twitter.com/dhsgov
If You See Something Say Something SM used with permission of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
National Terrorism Advisory System
Bulletin
www.dhs.gov/advisories January 18, 2020
BE PREPARED
• Be prepared for a cyber incident with an
offline backup, an incident response plan,
and know who you are calling for help. For
more information visit CISA.gov.
• Be responsible for your personal safety.
Know where emergency exits and security
personnel are located. Carry emergency
contact and special needs information with
you.
• Connect, Plan, Train, and Report to prepare
businesses & employees. Security resources
can be accessed through the DHS’s
Hometown Security Campaign.
SUMMARY OF IRAN-RELATED TERRORISM THREAT TO THE U.S.
HOMELAND DURATION
This Bulletin will
expire on or before
March 18, 2020
at 1:00 PM EST
• Iran likely views terrorism as an option to deter or retaliate against its perceived adversaries. At this
time, we have no information indicating a specific, credible threat to the Homeland; however, we
remain concerned about Iran’s potential to carry out cyber attacks. Additionally, Iran and its partners,
such as Hizballah, have demonstrated their capability to conduct various operations in the U.S.
• The U.S. designated Iran a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” in 1984 and since then, Iran has actively
engaged in or directed an array of violent and deadly acts against the United States and its citizens
globally. The United States designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a Foreign
Terrorist Organization on April 15, 2019 for its direct involvement in terrorist plotting.
• Following the lethal strike on Iranian IRGC-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Iran,
conducted a limited ballistic missile assault on two bases inside Iraq housing U.S. and allied forces.
In the near term, we remain concerned that violent extremist organizations tied to the regime,
including their various partner organizations, may continue to pose a general threat against American
citizens and interests both overseas and in the homeland.
• Previous Homeland-based plots have included, among other things, scouting against infrastructure
targets, assassination attempt against the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2011, and cyber enabled
attacks against a range of U.S.-based targets.
• Iran maintains a robust cyber program and is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with
temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States. Based on Iran’s
historic homeland and global targeting patterns, the financial services and energy sectors, maritime
assets, as well as U.S. Government and symbolic targets represent consistent priorities for Tehran’s
malicious operational planning.
• Homegrown Violent Extremists sympathetic to Iran could capitalize on the heightened tensions to
launch individual attacks, with little or no warning, against U.S.-based Iranian dissidents, Jewish,
Israeli, and Saudi individuals as well as against the U.S. Government infrastructure and personnel.
• The FBI, DHS, and NCTC advise federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government
counterterrorism, cyber, and law enforcement officials, and private sector partners, to remain vigilant
in the event of a potential Iran-directed or violent extremist Iran supporter threat to US-based
individuals, facilities, and networks consistent with previously observed covert surveillance and
possible pre-operational activity.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Report suspicious activity to local law
enforcement who are best to offer
specific details on terroristic indicators.
• Report suspicious activity or
information about a threat, including
online activity, to fusion centers and
the FBI’s Field Offices – part of the
Nationwide Suspicious Activity
Reporting Initiative.
• Learn how to recognize signs of preoperational planning associated with
terrorism or other criminal activity.
STAY INFORMED
• The U.S. Government will provide
additional information about any
emerging threat as additional information
is identified. The public is encouraged to
listen to local law enforcement and public
safety officials.
• We urge Americans to continue to travel,
attend public events, and freely associate
with others but remain vigilant and aware
of surroundings.
• The Department of State issues
international travel alerts and warnings.
• For additional information visit Ready.gov
