War Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a blunt warning Monday to anyone considering retaliation on American soil in response to Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign targeting Iran’s regime and military infrastructure.
Speaking at the Pentagon alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth said the administration is fully alert to the possibility of Iranian-linked sleeper cells or inspired attacks inside the United States.
“Well, across the interagency in full coordination, of course, we’re paying attention to any potentialities there. This is a former regime, a regime that seeks to export that ideology, to try to sow terror,” Hegseth said when asked about domestic threats. “We’re ready for that. We’ve seen these types of folks before. And the American people can rest assured that we’re vigilant on that.”
His remarks come amid renewed concerns about Iranian sleeper cells that have circulated since last year. Those fears intensified after the FBI confirmed it is investigating a “potential nexus to terrorism” in connection with a shooting in Austin, Texas, that left two dead and 14 injured. While authorities have not formally labeled the attack terrorism, federal investigators are probing whether ideological motivations played a role.
Hegseth emphasized that Operation Epic Fury is focused on dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities and degrading its naval forces. The opening phase of the operation has reportedly eliminated top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“This is not a so-called regime change war. But the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.
He also rejected comparisons to the Iraq War. “This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both,” he said, underscoring the administration’s claim that the operation is targeted and limited in scope.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said over the weekend that DHS is in “direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland.”
In June 2025, DHS’s National Terrorism Advisory System issued a bulletin warning that tensions with Iran could elevate the threat environment in the United States, particularly if Iranian leadership encouraged retaliation. That bulletin expired in September, but officials say monitoring remains ongoing.
As anti-Iranian regime rallies took place in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., the administration’s message was clear: while the fight overseas continues, any attempt to bring violence to American streets will be met with swift federal action.
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