Iranian threat escalates as Levitt warns of potential attacks on US soil

In August 2025, concerns over Iranian retaliation against the United States intensified following recent military actions targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Matthew Levitt, a counter-terrorism analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, detailed potential attack strategies that Tehran may employ to retaliate. He indicated that these strategies could include the use of Iranian agents, proxies, and attempts to stimulate lone attacker incidents domestically. With a history of foiled plots and rising tensions, US law enforcement has been put on high alert, significantly increasing intelligence and surveillance regarding Iranian-backed operatives throughout the country. The analysis presented by Levitt emphasized that despite the conclusion of a recent military conflict dubbed the 12-Day War between Iran and Israel, the threat of aggressive actions remains potent. Both Iranian operatives and their proxy networks appear to have invested in a so-called 'homeland option' over the years, suggesting a significant focus on domestic targets. Reports indicate that US authorities have disrupted numerous Iranian plots that may have posed risks to various individuals, including government officials and Iranian dissidents, as well as members of the Israeli community. Contextually, Iran's actions have aimed to galvanize anti-Israel sentiment, leveraging activism against the backdrop of recent geopolitical tensions. Efforts from Iranian influence operations have sought to undermine US support for Israel, presenting a dual threat of international hostility while fostering domestic unrest among activist groups. Reports affirm that the October 2024 assessment from the Department of Homeland Security classified Iran as the primary sponsor of terrorism and reiterated its commitment to plotting against US officials. With continuous rhetoric from Iranian leadership asserting their resolve against perceived adversaries, the prospect of acts of terrorism as a means to bolster national interests remains increasingly likely. On multiple occasions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reiterated the notion that forces attempting to suppress Iran will meet with defiance. As such, experts in terrorism and national security are urging readiness among US agencies in anticipation of potential threats stemming from Iran’s sustained operations and ideologies that define its approach to international relations.