The White House has asked federal agencies to hold off on sending a security bulletin that warned of a heightened threat to the United States tied to the conflict in Iran, an administration official said. The bulletin was prepared for distribution to state and local law enforcement by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center.
The administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the Trump administration requested that the agency delay immediate release so the document could be reviewed for accuracy. According to that official, the report was drafted by DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis but did not provide sufficient insight and was not well written.
One media outlet reported that the White House blocked a version of the bulletin that contained specific details about how Iranian proxies might carry out attacks across the United States.
Requests for comment from the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center did not receive immediate responses. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told reporters that it is customary for the agency to share intelligence bulletins with the White House for review before they are issued.
In a statement, the White House said it is coordinating closely with all government agencies to ensure that information being disseminated is accurate, up to date, and properly vetted - and that additional time may be taken to review material so nothing is done in a vacuum.
The bulletin at issue was drafted as officials evaluated threat information in light of recent U.S. military action in Iran. The administration has described that military operation as the largest U.S. operation in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Separately, the State Department said the United States completed more than a dozen charter flights since last week and evacuated thousands of Americans from the Middle East.
Summary: The White House paused the distribution of a federal security bulletin about potential Iran-related threats to the U.S., asking agencies to reassess the document for accuracy and clarity. The bulletin was drafted by DHS’ intelligence office and intended for state and local law enforcement. The FBI and National Counterterrorism Center did not immediately respond to comment, and DHS said review by the White House before dissemination is normal procedure. Officials also pointed to recent U.S. military action in Iran and ongoing evacuations from the region.
Key points:
- The White House requested a hold on immediate release of a federal security bulletin to allow further review for accuracy and clarity.
- The bulletin was prepared by DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis and was intended for state and local law enforcement via the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center.
- The administration described the recent attack on Iran as the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since 2003; the State Department reported over a dozen charter flights and thousands of Americans evacuated.
Risks and uncertainties:
- Uncertainty over the timing and content of the bulletin creates ambiguity for state and local law enforcement about imminent threat guidance.
- Potential for Iranian proxies to carry out attacks, as referenced in reporting about the blocked bulletin, represents a security concern tied to the recent military action.
- Limited public comment from the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center leaves details about the intelligence and specific mitigations unclear.