US Intel Warns Iran Could Attack America In Retaliation Over Khamenei's Killing: Report

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 19:55 IST

The assessment noted that threats linked to Iran include targeted and cyber attacks, although officials consider a large-scale physical assault on US soil unlikely.

Iran and its allied proxy groups could target the US in retaliation for the February 28 killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israeli and US strikes, according to a US intelligence assessment reviewed by Reuters. The Department of Homeland Security assessment noted that threats linked to Iran include targeted and cyber attacks, although officials consider a large-scale physical assault on US soil unlikely.

The assessment, produced by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at DHS, stated that “a large-scale physical attack is unlikely, [but] Iran and its proxies probably pose a persistent threat of targeted attacks in the Homeland."

Beyond the physical threat, the DHS report highlighted the potential for cyber operations by Iran-aligned “hacktivists," which could include website defacements and distributed denial-of-service attacks against US networks in the short term.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Reuters, “I am 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."

The DHS assessment also warned that Tehran would likely continue attacks against US and allied targets across the Middle East and could hold senior government officials accountable if protests erupt in response to US President Donald Trump’s calls for regime change. While intelligence officials judge the immediate risk of a mass physical attack on US soil as low, the report emphasised that Iran and its proxies present a “persistent threat" that could evolve as the conflict continues.

This comes as Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said that Iran’s “air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone," adding, “They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’"

The post coincided with escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran and included a link to an opinion piece by Marc Thiessen in The Washington Post defending Trump’s decision to authorize the military action.

News world US Intel Warns Iran Could Attack America In Retaliation Over Khamenei's Killing: Report

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