TIME 

If You See Something, Say SomethingSM. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or call 911.

The National Terrorism Advisory System provides information on homeland security issues and threats. It is distributed by the Department of Homeland 

Security. More information is available at: www.dhs.gov/advisories. To receive mobile updates: www.twitter.com/dhsgov 

If You See Something Say SomethingSM used with permission of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

National Terrorism Advisory System

Bulletin 

www.dhs.gov/advisories January 18, 2020 

BE PREPARED

• Be prepared for a cyber incident with an

offline backup, an incident response plan,

and know who you are calling for help. For

more information visit CISA.gov.

• Be responsible for your personal safety.

Know where emergency exits and security

personnel are located. Carry emergency

contact and special needs information with

you.

• Connect, Plan, Train, and Report to prepare

businesses & employees. Security resources 

can be accessed through the DHS’s

Hometown Security Campaign.

SUMMARY OF IRAN-RELATED TERRORISM THREAT TO THE U.S. 

HOMELAND DURATION

This Bulletin will 

expire on or before 

March 18, 2020 

at 1:00 PM EDT 

• Iran likely views terrorism as an option to deter or retaliate against its perceived adversaries. At this 

time, we have no information indicating a specific, credible threat to the Homeland; however, we 

remain concerned about Iran’s potential to carry out cyber attacks. Additionally, Iran and its partners, 

such as Hizballah, have demonstrated their capability to conduct various operations in the U.S.

• The U.S. designated Iran a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” in 1984 and since then, Iran has actively 

engaged in or directed an array of violent and deadly acts against the United States and its citizens 

globally. The United States designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a Foreign 

Terrorist Organization on April 15, 2019 for its direct involvement in terrorist plotting.

• Following the lethal strike on Iranian IRGC-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Iran, 

conducted a limited ballistic missile assault on two bases inside Iraq housing U.S. and allied forces.

In the near term, we remain concerned that violent extremist organizations tied to the regime,

including their various partner organizations, may continue to pose a general threat against American 

citizens and interests both overseas and in the homeland.

• Previous Homeland-based plots have included, among other things, scouting against infrastructure 

targets, assassination attempt against the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2011, and cyber enabled 

attacks against a range of U.S.-based targets.

• Iran maintains a robust cyber program and is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with 

temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States. Based on Iran’s 

historic homeland and global targeting patterns, the financial services and energy sectors, maritime

assets, as well as U.S. Government and symbolic targets represent consistent priorities for Tehran’s 

malicious operational planning.

• Homegrown Violent Extremists sympathetic to Iran could capitalize on the heightened tensions to 

launch individual attacks, with little or no warning, against U.S.-based Iranian dissidents, Jewish, 

Israeli, and Saudi individuals as well as against the U.S. Government infrastructure and personnel.

• The FBI, DHS, and NCTC advise federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government 

counterterrorism, cyber, and law enforcement officials, and private sector partners, to remain vigilant 

in the event of a potential Iran-directed or violent extremist Iran supporter threat to US-based 

individuals, facilities, and networks consistent with previously observed covert surveillance and 

possible pre-operational activity.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Report suspicious activity to local law

enforcement who are best to offer

specific details on terroristic indicators.

• Report suspicious activity or

information about a threat, including

online activity, to fusion centers and

the FBI’s Field Offices – part of the

Nationwide Suspicious Activity

Reporting Initiative.

• Learn how to recognize signs of preoperational planning associated with

terrorism or other criminal activity.

STAY INFORMED

• The U.S. Government will provide

additional information about any

emerging threat as additional information

is identified. The public is encouraged to

listen to local law enforcement and public

safety officials.

• We urge Americans to continue to travel,

attend public events, and freely associate

with others but remain vigilant and aware

of surroundings.

• The Department of State issues

international travel alerts and warnings.

• For additional information visit Ready.gov.

TYPES OF 

ADVISORIES

Bulletin

Describes current 

developments or 

general trends 

regarding threats 

of terrorism.

Elevated Alert

Warns of a credible 

terrorism threat 

against the United 

States.

Imminent 

Alert

Warns of a 

credible, specific 

and impending 

terrorism threat 

against the United 

States.