FBI Successfully Prevents Terrorist Attack Threats in Four US States

US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said that federal agents have foiled multiple terrorist attacks planned in four states in December last year.

In a post on social media X on Monday (March 16), Patel said that on December 12, the FBI arrested four members of an organization called the 'Turtle Island Liberation Front'. They are accused of planning to bomb various businesses in Southern California on New Year's Eve.

Patel also said that on December 21, the FBI and local law enforcement in Pennsylvania arrested a man who was allegedly researching ISIS propaganda to use in planning explosive attacks.

In addition, on December 29, an ISIS supporter was arrested in Texas, who was allegedly trying to provide bomb-making materials to a foreign terrorist organization.

Patel said the FBI, in a joint operation with state and federal law enforcement in New York on New Year's Eve, arrested a North Carolina man who had declared himself an "ISIS soldier" and was planning to carry out a major deadly attack that night.

Patel's disclosure comes at a time when the risk of a terrorist attack in the United States has increased due to ongoing tensions with Iran. Iran has threatened retaliation after a US-Israeli raid killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing that the US counterterrorism system is under pressure as many experienced national security officials leave the FBI and the Justice Department.

Patel said the FBI has already thwarted 640 potential terrorist plots and arrested 707 people in counterterrorism operations. Several recent violent incidents have also highlighted these security concerns.

Two young men, who are suspected of being ISIS-influenced, were arrested for allegedly carrying homemade bombs at a right-wing protest in front of the mayor's residence in New York City.

Investigations are also ongoing into an attempted car bombing at a synagogue near Detroit and a shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia. However, officials said there was no evidence yet that the incidents in New York and Virginia were directly related to the Iran war.

Meanwhile, the FBI recently issued a warning about possible drone attacks in California. However, officials later said that the intelligence had not yet been verified and that there was no evidence of a specific attack plan.
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