LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Local and state authorities remained vigilant Monday amid potential retaliation for U.S. military air strikes that targeted three nuclear weapons sites in Iran and in light of a warning from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of a “heightened threat environment in the United States.”
The Sunday DHS advisory also noted “Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks. Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti- Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US- based individuals plotting additional attacks.”
Southland law enforcement agencies have said patrols at houses of worship and other sensitive cites have been increased out of an abundance of caution, but so far no credible threats have been confirmed in Southern California.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials apologized Sunday and deleted posts on social media that expressed sympathy for “the victims and families impacted” by Saturday’s U.S. military strikes targeting three nuclear sites in Iran. Department officials said the initial posts were”unacceptable” and did not reflect the views of the department or Sheriff Robert G. Luna.
The revised posts simply stated the department was increasing patrol checks at places of worship and other sensitive locations and noted there were no known threats in Los Angeles County.
Shortly after the initial social media posts. City News Service received an official request to retract the statement from a story that had been written. LASD Deputy M. McClendon requested that segment of the statement about victims and families be stricken. When asked why, the deputy said she was acting on orders she was given by her superiors.
Department officials said the source of the initial posts is under investigation.
In Iran, officials promised there would be retaliation for the U.S. attacks and launched a new wave of missiles and drones against Israel.
In a short statement Monday morning, Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, said the U.S. violated Iran’s sovereignty and had “entered the war clearly and directly.”
“The criminal US must know that in addition to punishing its illegitimate and aggressive offspring, the hands of Islam’s fighters within the armed forces have been freed to take any action against its interests and military, and we will never back down in this regard.”
The U.S. bombs fell Saturday on Iranian atomic sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.
Iinitial attacks on Iran came June 13 when Israeli airstrikes targeted nuclear and military sites as well as top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, were reportedly killed and more than 2,000 wounded, a Washington-based Iranian human rights group told reporters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel’s goal is to eliminate the “existential threat” of Iran’s nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles and said the attacks would continue “for as long as it takes.”
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