Experts Warn of Potential Iranian Sleeper Cells on College Campuses Targeting Americans

Experts are concerned about the potential for terror proxies to utilize modern methods such as antisemitic campus protests and social media propaganda to cause disruption in the United States, especially with the looming threat of Iranian retaliation.

Following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s crucial nuclear facilities over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a bulletin through the National Terrorism Advisory System. This bulletin warns of an increased risk of domestic terrorism originating from Iranian-backed or domestic attackers.

“The probability of violent extremists within the country independently inciting violence in response to the conflict would likely rise if the Iranian leadership were to issue a religious decree calling for retaliatory violence against targets within the country,” states the bulletin.

“That is a real low-rent, easy-to-run operation,” Mauro said. “You get somebody who is leading a slipping down life [who] doesn’t have much of an identity, somebody who is looking for a persona, and you give them one. It’s subtle, and it’s a seduction process.” 

Anti-Israel protesters climb a fence during demonstrations at the City College Of New York April 30, 2024, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

While the use of propaganda and targeted social media is historically aligned with ISIS, Mauro pointed out changing digital times affecting how attacks can be waged. 

“Traditionally, that’s not the Iranian MO,” Mauro said. “That’s not the Hezbollah MO.  But we’re in a new world.”

However, the possibility for terror groups to come together with new strategies to use against a common enemy remains front of mind. 

“Right now, the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Mauro said. “You could have the kind of elements that previously, people in remnants of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Syria, Iraq could [be] figuring right now that America is going to be a soft target because you have all this unrest among the progressives.” 

While the bulletin released by DHS does not cite any specific threats to the American people, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the country are on high alert as they encourage people to remain vigilant with tensions between the U.S. and Iran continuing to rise. 

“There are no rules of engagement to a rogue regime like Iran,” Seener said. “Everything is fair game. Western democracies don’t operate in that manner, and it’s alien to us, but that is how Iran operates.”