On Wednesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a warning issued by the White House that Iran will face severe consequences for an attack on any U.S. citizen. The warning was issued following charges that a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to orchestrate the assassination of former national security adviser John Bolton for his role in the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force.
Soleimani, whom the Pentagon states was responsible for the death of more than 600 American and coalition service personnel in Iraq, was eliminated in a January 2020 drone strike on his convoy as he was leaving Baghdad's airport.
According to Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch:
“Iran has a history of plotting to assassinate individuals in the U.S. it deems a threat, but the U.S. Government has a longer history of holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our citizens. Let there be no doubt: The FBI, the U.S. government, and our partners remain vigilant in the fight against such threats here in the U.S. and overseas.”
According to current National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:
"Should Iran attack any of our citizens, to include those who continue to serve the United States or those who formerly served, Iran will face severe consequences. We will continue to bring to bear the full resources of the U.S. Government to protect Americans."
Late Wednesday it was revealed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also targeted in the plot.
Attempted Attack on FBI Building
On Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were urged to exercise caution and vigilance at federal buildings across the U.S. after armed man attempted to breach the FBI Cincinnati's visitor screening facility in the Kenwood area of the city. An alarm sounded and FBI special agents responded when the man fired a nail gun at law enforcement personnel. The suspect is reported to have then held up a rifle before fleeing in a vehicle north on Interstate-71 while being pursued by Ohio State Highway Patrol. This pursuit crossed three counties.
Eventually the suspect exited the freeway and was surrounded. After several hours of negotiations and exchanges of gunfire, the suspect was shot and killed.
Police have identified the suspect as 42-year-old Ricky Walter Shiffer from Columbus.
The incident came days after the FBI raided former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, triggering outrage across the nation and a wave of threats against the bureau.
AlertsUSA reminds readers that on June 7, DHS issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin warning the domestic threat environment was expected to "become more dynamic" as several high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence against a range of possible targets. These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents."
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant. |
