Iran sleeper cell threat hits U.S. soil after base attack? Trump's sudden G7 exit linked to terror warning, reports say

Time of India

6 hours ago

Iran sleeper cell threat is now a growing concern in the U.S. after Donald Trump suddenly left the G7 summit, reportedly due to intelligence warning of possible attacks on American soil. Following Iran's missile strike on a U.S. base, and America's retaliatory bombing of key nuclear sites, top officials fear sleeper agents inside the U.S. may be activated. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a national alert, and cities are stepping up their security.
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Did Trump leave the G7 because of Iran's sleeper cell threat?
What cities are considered most at risk in the U.S.?
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What are sleeper cells and why is this story gaining traction?
What did DHS and CBP say about the sleeper cell threat?
What kind of plots has Iran tried before in the U.S.?
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Is Iran planning to activate sleeper cells now?
What data shows we're serious
More than 150 individuals on terror watchlists have been stopped at the U.S.–Mexico border in 2025—a record high .
individuals on terror watchlists have been stopped at the U.S.–Mexico border in 2025—a record high . The DHS bulletin warns the threat remains elevated until at least Sept. 22, 2025.
CBP has documented thousands of Iran nationals entering the U.S., some possibly linked to sleeper networks.
Should Americans be worried?
This sleeper cell threat isn't a rumor — it's a real national security concern
The story around Iran's sleeper cell threat in the U.S. has turned urgent after Iran launched a missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar earlier this month. According to multiple reports, President Donald Trump was briefed on credible sleeper cell threats while attending the G7 summit in Italy, leading to a sudden and early departure from the event. Shortly after leaving, he authorized retaliatory U.S. strikes against Iranian targets.Fox News, quoting senior U.S. officials, said Iran had delivered a direct warning: if America responded militarily, dormant sleeper cells in the U.S. could be activated. That message reportedly reached Trump during the summit, prompting urgent consultations with national security advisers.Yes, according to classified briefings confirmed by Fox News and Daily Mail, Trump's G7 exit was not due to diplomacy issues — it was tied to the Iranian threat. During the G7 discussions on Middle East stability, U.S. officials received intelligence that Tehran might retaliate for past strikes using terror cells it has embedded in Western nations, including the U.S.The decision was immediate. Trump cut his schedule short, flew back to the U.S., and ordered strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran within 48 hours. Not long after, Iran responded by firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles at U.S. military sites in Qatar and Iraq.While no city has been officially named, experts saycould be prime targets due to their population, economic importance, and past surveillance activity.Rodney Scott, a former CBP commissioner, recently said, 'The threat has never been this real.' U.S. agencies are currently on high alert, especially after the retaliation following Iran's base attack and America's recent military operation.Sleeper cells refer to undercover operatives planted by a hostile nation or terror group inside a foreign country. They live quietly, often for years, waiting to be activated.U.S. agencies have long suspected Iran — through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and proxy group Hezbollah — of maintaining such cells in the United States. These fears go back at least to 2017, when the FBI arrested Ali Kourani and Samer el Debek. Both were collecting intelligence on U.S. landmarks and infrastructure and had ties to Hezbollah's Unit 910, which handles overseas operations.In the days after the Iran–U.S. escalation, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller warned in a press conference that the 'threat of sleeper cells has never been higher'. He emphasized that Iran has the means and motive to strike the U.S. through unconventional means.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a "heightened threat environment" bulletin running through September. It warns of possible retaliation on U.S. soil, particularly from foreign terror-linked networks that could exploit border gaps.Recent data shows that, in the first half of 2025, more than 150 individuals on the U.S. terror watchlist were apprehended at the southern border — a sharp rise compared to 2023.Iran has a record of targeting U.S. figures. In 2022, federal agents foiled a plot to assassinate former National Security Adviser John Bolton, allegedly ordered by a member of Iran's Quds Force. A separate plot aimed at former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also uncovered.These attempts were seen as retaliation for the 2020 drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the top IRGC commander. U.S. officials fear that Iran has never abandoned its plans for revenge — it may have just been waiting for the right moment.It's possible, but not confirmed. Intelligence officials have told CNN and ABC News that no specific plot has been detected, but they are treating all threats as credible. Surveillance and counterterror operations have ramped up in major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.Former CIA officer Daniel Hoffman said, 'Iran is under pressure. If they feel backed into a corner, activating sleeper cells becomes a very real option.'Authorities say there's no need to panic, but people should stay aware. The FBI, DHS, and local law enforcement are closely monitoring for any signs of activity. Citizens are urged to report anything unusual, especially around airports, government buildings, and synagogues.Trump has not publicly commented on the exact nature of the intelligence he received at the G7, but multiple sources — including Fox News and Daily Mail — confirm he acted on direct warnings about potential sleeper cell retaliation.The story of Iran's sleeper cells in the U.S. has moved from theory to urgent risk. Trump's G7 exit, Iran's missile attacks, and the intelligence briefings all point to a serious situation. While no active plot has surfaced, the U.S. government is treating this threat with full attention — and Americans should too.Stay updated, stay aware, and trust that law enforcement is doing all it can behind the scenes.