Davis: Feds warn of possible Iranian sleeper cell terrorists

With President Trump’s bold, decisive, and historical military combat action against Iran — Operation Epic Fury — there are concerns that the fanatical Iranian government will unleash sleeper terrorist cells in America. 

I support President Trump’s actions, as the Iranian government has been at war with America for more than 47 years, and has killed many Americans directly and indirectly through their terrorist proxy groups. We needed to finally strike back, particularly now, as the Iranians posed a great threat to America, the middle east and the world. We simply could not allow this dangerous nation to produce advanced ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. 

I recall former CIA operations officer Gary Berntsen telling me that going up against the Iranians was like fighting the Nazis. The Iranians, he said, are ruthless religious fanatics who are brutal and do not hesitate to kill. He noted that Iran employs a network of proxy militant groups around the globe to carry out violent attacks against Western countries.

I followed the news with pride as our great military pounded the Iranian government’s leaders and their terroristic war machine. 

Having served as a teenager on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War, I wish I were young again and able to serve on one of the aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea as they launch sorties against the Iranians.

Although the Iranian government is being bombed out of existence, we must be cognizant of the possibility that the Iranians may have planned for terrorist counterattacks on the U.S. homefront. 

There are concerns that perhaps some hundreds of Iranian terrorists slipped across the southern border during President Biden’s term in office. Law enforcement and security officials believe that these Iranians and their proxies may have formed into sleeper cells across the U.S. and are lying dormant until they receive orders to strike American targets. 

There is also the fear that lone wolf fanatics will commit acts of terrorism in support of Iran.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that he placed the FBI’s regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) on high alert as the U.S. military conducts combat operations against Iran.

“Last night, I instructed our Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all assisting security assets needed,” Patel wrote on X. “Our JTTFs throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland.

“While the U.S. military is handling force protection overseas, the FBI remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home and will continue working around the clock to protect Americans.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also issued an alert. “We are 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.”

Despite the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and many law enforcement agents going unpaid due to a congressional spat over ICE operations, the DHS remains on high alert.   

On February 28, the Philadelphia Police Department released a message on X: “The PPD is monitoring developments overseas with federal, state, and regional partners. While there are no credible threats to Philadelphia, we’ve increased patrols at religious and cultural sites out of Caution. Report suspicious activity to 911 or 215-686-TIPS.” 

Concerns about a sleeper terrorist or lone wolf shooter increased after a gunman with a shirt adorned with an Iranian flag and the words, “Property of Allah” shot and killed two people and seriously wounded 14 others in Austin, Texas on March 1st.

The gunman, armed with a rifle and pistol, opened fire on customers at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden at 2 A.M. The shooter, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, was shot and killed by police.  

The FBI is investigating the Texas shooting as a potential act of terrorism and the FBI did not place a timeline on the national terrorism alert.

A random street shooting like the one in Austin can happen anywhere, but if Iranian backed terrorists and their supporters are looking to make a symbolic violent gesture, then Philadelphia might be a target, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of our founding. 

I recall interviewing then-Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey in his office at the “Roundhouse,” the old Philadelphia police headquarters, back in 2013.

I asked him if Philadelphia was a prime target for terrorists.

“Philadelphia is geographically located on the eastern corridor between New York City and Washington DC,” Ramsey said. “The harder the target they make New York and the harder they make DC, the more attractive Philadelphia will look to terrorists.

“The historical monuments and institutions we have here in Philadelphia make the city of targeted value to someone who wants to psychologically harm the United States in addition to actually harming people.”

Let’s hope that the Feds and the Philadelphia Police will be able to thwart any Iranian retaliatory terrorist attacks here.