Following the assassination of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in early 2020, the United States has beefed up security measures at thousands of federal buildings, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, August 12. 2022, citing current and former US officials.
The Department of Homeland Security has fortified thousands of federal buildings against possible retaliation, dubbed “Operation Resilience,” amid Washington’s fears that Iran could use its proxy Hezbollah to attack the United States, officials said. .
Last Wednesday, the Justice Department charged an Iranian national with conspiring to assassinate former US officials, including John Bolton, who served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, to address long-standing concerns of security officials and intelligence about the dangers of Iran’s domestic attacks. confirm . Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also been identified as a target.
According to this American newspaper, the previously unannounced “Al-Smoud” operation shows that the US government’s concerns about possible Iranian attacks against domestic targets are much broader than targeting high-profile individuals.
In addition to securing federal buildings, precautions taken in the operation include preparing for cyberattacks and ordering other departments, such as the Coast Guard and Border Patrol, to beef up security against any threat of retaliation, a former senior official said. to be
In the indictment of Shahram Borsafi, the man accused of plotting to assassinate Bolton, the FBI cited a senior Iranian military official as saying he used proxies to retaliate against targets inside.
For their part, US national security officials and Western analysts have said that Iran’s ability to direct Hezbollah’s operations in the United States poses a direct threat to the country and affects Washington’s diplomatic calculations.
Previously, the United States and dozens of other countries had listed Lebanon-based Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. While the alleged plot against Bolton has not been linked to Hezbollah.
On the other hand, the spokesperson of Iran’s representation in the United Nations said that the accusations against Tehran and Hezbollah “are baseless and there is no evidence to support them”.
Craig Faller, who was commander of US Southern Command at the time of Soleimani’s assassination, told lawmakers: “Some Hezbollah supporters hide weapons and raise funds, often through charitable donations and transfers, and sometimes through illegal means such as drugs. drug Smuggling and money laundering.”
The Department of Homeland Security, along with the Treasury Department, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, have sought to disrupt and dismantle the networks as a priority. Despite their efforts, Hezbollah networks continue to operate, especially since Iran-friendly governments in South America have facilitated their activities, according to current and former US officials.
Current and former officials say Hezbollah networks help facilitate Iran’s efforts to attack domestic US targets.
Source: Lebanon Debate
