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An anti-terrorism expert said Iranian sleeper cells may have hidden “normal sight” waiting to attack rural areas of the United States.
After the U.S. military strikes on several Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a national terrorism advisory system announcement, noting that Iran has increased risks of support or family terrorism.
“If the Iranian leader issues a religious verdict calling for retaliation against violence against targets in the land target, independent mobilization of violence by extremists in land violence may increase violence,” the announcement said. “Iran also has a long-term commitment to target U.S. government officials, believing that this is the cause of the death of Iranian military commander in January 2020.”
Jonathan Gilliam, a former FBI agent who worked for the Terrorism Task Force, told Fox News Digital that these terrorist cells could be in our backyard.
Expert warning
Aerial view of downtown Bozeman, Montana at dusk. On the main street, lights flashed with local businesses and vehicles. The dramatic sky as the sun sets on the mountain. (Istock/Dianebentleyraymond)
“Where are these sleeper cells,” Gilliam said. “It's the real scary part, that's getting people in place, as we've seen over the past four years, everyone is scrambling for the first time because a certain number of people might come here.”
Gilliam said the Biden administration's border policy has allowed Iranian illegal immigrants to enter the United States without a penalty, thus creating conditions for sleeper cells.
“They can even go to the border and say they [want to] Seek asylum and the Biden administration instead of putting them in a DHS housing or ice shell and hiding them there so that they can appear for the first time. He said of illegal immigration to Iran.
Obama's former Homeland Security Secretary alerted Iranian sleeper cells, calling it “highest”
Map of the US strike against Iran. (Fox News)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has curbed enforcement efforts against Iranian illegal immigrants in the wake of the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
More than 130 Iranian nationals have been arrested since June 18, with multiple federal sources telling Fox News, adding that 670 Iranians have been detained.
Gilliam said these sleeper cells may target rural areas in the United States because they are “well protected.”
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Iranian worshippers raised their hands as a sign of unification with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the anti-Israel rally, condemning the attack on Israeli on Iran on June 20, 2025 in Trenland City, Iran. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Nurphoto via Getty Images)
“The sleeper cells have the potential to target more rural countries than a large city. In fact, given the evolution of the basic Islamic attackers against attacks we have seen in Israel on October 7, 2023, similar attacks may occur in India this year, possibly in rural entertainment venues or numerous resorts.”
Fox News's Bill Melugin contributed to the report.
