State governors briefed by DHS on potential threats after attack on Iran

Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald on Jun 23, 2025

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The nation’s governors have been briefed by the Department of Homeland Security over a “heightened threat environment” after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend.

According to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, the weekend briefing from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem included “governors from across the country” and their staffs, each of whom were informed of “the situation in the Middle East.”

“I can assure you that there are no threats to the Commonwealth, to residents in the Commonwealth, at this time. We’re going to continue to stay in touch with both the Department of Homeland Security as well as with local, state and federal agencies here on the ground,” she said during a press conference Monday.

Noem issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin on Sunday summarizing the “threat to the United States” and which will remain in effect through the summer.

The risk of a “heightened threat environment” is outlined in the DHS bulletin, which warns low-level cyber attacks by pro-Iranian parties are “likely” and cautions that Iran has “a long-standing commitment” to target U.S. officials involved in the 2020 assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

“It is our duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict. The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes,” Noem said in a statement.

According to DHS, the chances of violence in the U.S. could ramp up significantly if a “religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland” is issued by Iranian leadership. The risk comes amidst an already heightened threat environment for Jewish Americans, DHS indicated, and increased tensions between Iran and Israel could exacerbate that problem.

“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,” the bulletin reads, in part.

According to New Hampshire’s Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the call served to keep “governors informed of threats from Iran.”

“I appreciated the opportunity to participate in this call and hear directly from DHS about efforts to protect New Hampshire and our nation. We will continue to keep these lines of communication open with our federal partners,” Ayotte said.

New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Robert Buxton urged everyone to “be aware of their surroundings.”

“If you see something suspicious, report it to 911 or local authorities,” Buxton said.

The U.S. State Department issued a similar warning on Monday, warning U.S. citizens who are living or travelling abroad to be mindful of their surroundings and aware of the potential for violence.

“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution,” they wrote.

The warnings and briefings come after the U.S. joined Israel in attacking Iran on Saturday. According to U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. conducted a “very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan.” The Iranian nuclear sites were, Trump said, “completely and fully obliterated.”

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