Terrorism Risk 'Elevated' in US After Iran Strikes, Secretary Noem Says

The heightened threat environment comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces funding disruptions.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem warned that the terrorism risk in the United States is elevated following the U.S. and Israel's military operation against Iran. The FBI is investigating a mass shooting in Austin, Texas as a possible act of terrorism, and experts say potential retaliatory attacks are more likely to come from radicalized individuals rather than large organized groups. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, is facing funding disruptions during the partial government shutdown, raising concerns about its ability to respond to potential threats.

Why it matters

The heightened terrorism threat comes at a critical time, as the Department of Homeland Security faces funding disruptions due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. This could limit the federal government's ability to monitor and respond to potential threats, including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The political standoff over immigration enforcement and the president's military operation in Iran are adding new stakes to the funding lapse.

The details

Secretary Noem warned that the terrorism risk is "elevated at this time with the conflicts that we see going on overseas." The FBI is investigating Sunday's mass shooting in Austin, Texas as a possible act of terrorism, with the suspect reportedly wearing clothing with an Iranian flag design. Experts say potential retaliatory attacks on U.S. soil are more likely to come from radicalized individuals rather than large organized groups. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are also a concern, as Iran has targeted such systems in the past. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is part of DHS, has warned that the funding lapse would "delay deploying cybersecurity services and capabilities to federal agencies, leaving significant gaps in security programs."

  • The FBI is currently investigating Sunday's mass shooting in Austin, Texas.
  • The U.S. and Israel launched a massive military operation against Iran.

The players

Kristy Noem

The Secretary of Homeland Security.

Ahmad Sharawi

A senior research analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Madhu Gottumukkala

The Acting Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Mike Johnson

The House Speaker.

Patty Murray

The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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What they’re saying

“Every day there's a real danger and risk of it, but it is elevated at this time with the conflicts that we see going on overseas.”

— Kristy Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security (kcra.com)

“I think the likelihood of an organized, large-scale attack on the United States is low at the moment. If we were to see any sort of retaliatory attacks, it would probably be from a lone wolf who might be seeing the news and is ideologically sympathetic to the Islamic Republic.”

— Ahmad Sharawi, Senior Research Analyst, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (kcra.com)

“CISA's capacity to provide timely and actionable guidance to help partners defend their networks would be degraded. Under the current DHS Lapse Plan, CISA can only sustain essential functions that are necessary to ensure the safety of human life or protection of property.”

— Madhu Gottumukkala, Acting Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (kcra.com)

“At a moment when America faces increasing threats at home and abroad, Democrats are voting to keep Americans dangerously exposed to domestic terrorism — all so they can make a crazy political point in defense of criminal illegal aliens.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker (kcra.com)

“I'm not going to vote to fund ICE and let them detain, brutalize, shoot, or kill more American citizens just because Donald Trump started an unconstitutional war that no one asked for.”

— Patty Murray, Top Democrat, Senate Appropriations Committee (kcra.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect in the Austin mass shooting out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and heightened security environment the U.S. is facing, with the threat of terrorism and cyberattacks elevated amid ongoing conflicts abroad and political divisions at home. The funding disruptions at the Department of Homeland Security raise concerns about the federal government's ability to effectively monitor and respond to potential threats, underscoring the need for bipartisan cooperation to ensure national security.