ISTANBUL

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned law enforcement agencies of the potential for isolated “lone-wolf” attacks and cyber intrusions linked to the ongoing military strikes in Iran, according to a security bulletin obtained by ABC News.

The bulletin states that while a large-scale physical attack is considered unlikely, Iran and its proxies likely pose a sustained threat of targeted operations داخل the United States. It added that retaliatory actions—or calls for such actions—would “almost certainly” escalate if reports confirming the Ayatollah’s death prove accurate.

In the near term, officials said they are particularly concerned about cyber activity by Iran-aligned hacktivists, including low-level attacks such as website defacements and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) operations targeting US networks.

The warning was issued Saturday, one day before a shooting in Austin, Texas. Authorities are examining whether the suspect may have been influenced by international developments. Law enforcement officials told ABC News that the suspect was seen wearing clothing bearing religious and Iranian references, and investigators are also reviewing whether mental health issues may have played a role.

According to the bulletin, physical attacks by individuals directly inspired by Iran have historically been rare. However, officials cautioned that heightened tensions and increased US or Israeli military actions could motivate some US-based violent extremists or hate crime perpetrators to target individuals or institutions perceived as Jewish, pro-Israel, or affiliated with the US government or military.

Derek Mayer, a former assistant special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Chicago field office, said authorities remain constantly alert to the possibility of lone-actor violence. He noted that the broader threat environment in the US and globally remains elevated, describing it as consistently dangerous since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Meanwhile, police departments across the country have stepped up patrols in crowded public areas and at sensitive sites. Officials said that in addition to visible security measures, extensive behind-the-scenes efforts—such as counter-surveillance and enhanced intelligence monitoring—are underway to mitigate potential risks.