WASHINGTON โ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 130 Iranian nationals across multiple cities last week amid escalating fears of sleeper cells linked to Iranโs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, federal officials confirmed June 26.
ICE sources said approximately 670 Iranian nationals are currently held in detention. Many face additional allegations, including ties to extremist organizations, weapons, drugs, or violent crime records.
The arrests followed a spike in enforcement actions. Separate ICE operations last week detained 11 Iranian nationals and one U.S. citizen on charges ranging from immigration violations to harboring suspected terrorists.
The uptick in arrests comes amid heightened security alerts from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, in a memo, warned that the threat of sleeper cells โhas never been higherโ and urged officers to remain vigilant during inspections.
DHS and FBI officials have also stepped up monitoring of Iran-backed operatives and sleeper cells, including those connected to Hezbollah, as caution increases amid tensions over the recent conflict between Iran, Israel, and the U.S.
โWe have not seen specific operational plots,โ DHS officials stated, โbut given Iranโs past pattern of retaliation and existing sleeper networks, it is prudent to act now.โ
Former U.S. officials have warned that Iranโs Revolutionary Guards could deliberately activate covert agents within the U.S. in response to military strikes by Israel or Washington.
Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before Congress explaining the crackdown. โWe will not be intimidated, and we will keep America safe,โ she said, pointing to the arrests as proof of proactive law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Coons urged vigilance but cautioned against overreaction, saying enhanced enforcement should be balanced with respect for civil rights.
This article is based on verified information from Reuters, The National News Desk, Fox News, The Daily Beast, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and CBP public statements.