The NYPD is urging New Yorkers to stay vigilant following the Iranian attack on U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Despite there being no credible threat, the Counterterrorism Bureau on Jan. 7 said they have increased their presence around key landmarks. Earlier this week, the mayor said they’re in it for the long term.
“We cannot for a moment think, ‘If it doesn’t happen soon, then it’s not gonna happen,'” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We have to be very, very vigilant.”
The NYPD is closely monitoring the events in the Middle East.
There are no specific or credible threats to #NYC. The #NYPD continues to have increased deployments & has adjusted resources across the city out of an abundance of caution… pic.twitter.com/8ZCufzDRHc
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) January 8, 2020
President Trump, on the other hand, said on Jan. 8 that Iran appears to be stepping down. However, he said he’d imposed further sanctions on the regime.
Terror Target
Shortly after an American airstrike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the mayor said people did not need to be reminded that the city is the number one terror target in the United States.
No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States. We're taking escalation in the Middle East seriously — and I have absolute faith in the NYPD to protect this city and keep every New Yorker safe. pic.twitter.com/rX3VrCDAZL
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) January 4, 2020
In December, a member of the Iranian terrorist group Hezbollah, who was living in New York City, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to a press release from the State Department. Ali Kourani, 35, was convicted for acting as a sleeper agent for the Iranian-backed terrorist group.
“The lengthy prison term imposed today on Kourani sends an important message to Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad Organization: If you are caught planning harm against this city and its residents, you will face justice and be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York.
Kourani gathered information and identified people who could be recruited or attacked, among other things, with the intention of committing a future terrorist attack.
Since 2017, three sleeper Hezbollah agents have been arrested in New York City, according to an op-ed by Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism at the NYPD, John Miller.