No information links explosive device attack near mayor Mamdani's residence to offensive on Iran: NYPD

ISTANBUL

New York City's police commissioner said Monday there is no information connecting an explosive device attack outside the mayor's residence to the ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iran, though the city remains on heightened alert.

"At this time, we do not have any information that connects this investigation to what's going on overseas in Iran," New York City Police Department ​​​​​​​(NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a press conference at Gracie Mansion alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Tisch confirmed the incident is being investigated as ISIS (Daesh)-inspired terrorism. Two suspects will be prosecuted in federal court in Manhattan, with a complaint setting forth criminal charges and supporting factual allegations, she said.

The devices deployed by the subjects contain triacetone triperoxide, a dangerous and highly volatile homemade explosive used in attacks worldwide, according to Tisch. The bomb squad rendered both devices safe, with explosive evidence samples sent to an FBI laboratory for further testing. A third device tested negative for explosive material.

City on heightened alert

Despite no apparent Iran connection, Tisch said New York has been in a heightened state of alert since the beginning of US attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. The city will continue deploying additional counterterrorism resources throughout the five boroughs, including heavy weapons teams, canine units, and aviation units.

Mayor Mamdani condemned the protest, describing it as "rooted in white supremacy."

"I'm the first Muslim mayor of our city. Anti-Muslim bigotry is nothing new to me, nor is it anything new for the one million or so Muslim New Yorkers who know this city as our home," Mamdani said.

While finding the protest "appalling," Mamdani said he would not waver in his belief it should be allowed to happen. He stressed that the city will never tolerate violence from protests or counter-protests.

Two devices thrown Saturday toward protesters outside Gracie Mansion was an improvised explosive capable of causing serious injury or death, Tisch said Sunday.

The NYPD is investigating the attack, alongside the FBI through the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.