The United States is now engaged in an active and controversial military war with Iran which, according to multiple national polls, 6 out of 10 Americans oppose. This has ushered in a new phase of strategic competition with a dangerous regime accustomed to asymmetric forms of retaliation

Federal agencies have raised counterterrorism alert levels and concerns that Iran, Iran-aligned groups and sympathizers, could strike our country in retaliation whether through violence or cyberattacks. FBI counterterrorism teams have been placed on alert to monitor and disrupt any potential Iranian plots or clandestine networks in the United States. Domestic law enforcement remains particularly vigilant for Iranian sleeper cells, lone actors and clandestine operatives living in our cities and towns under the radar.

Official assessments maintain that there are no current or credible attack plans targeting US cities or infrastructure, yet there was no advance warning of the 9/11 attack nor the Boston Marathon bombing which is why heightened vigilance could interrupt plots before they approach execution.

Beyond state-linked plots, geopolitical tensions can prompt lone offenders or small groups motivated by ideological sympathy with Iran to strike the homeland. Extremist violence within the US has recently been driven by polarized views around the Middle East conflict and anti-Israel sentiments which is an ambient risk that increases when international crises escalate.

These warnings have gained urgency in the wake of a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, where a gunman opened fire outside a downtown bar last Sunday, killing three people and injuring 14 others. Federal investigators are examining the attack as a possible act of terrorism, noting that the suspect under arrest wore clothing bearing an Iranian flag design and a sweatshirt reading “Property of Allah.” This mass shooting came just after the US bombing of Iran escalated and underscores how geopolitical violence can echo at home.

Individuals sympathetic to an adversary cause can lash out in seemingly random attacks that carry political or ideological overtones. Lone actors with no formal ties to foreign intelligence services are difficult to detect, yet their violence can be just as devastating emotionally and socially.

State-linked proxy groups have a history of conducting attacks in Western countries when their patrons feel threatened. These operations might include bombings, shootings, or assaults designed to create fear and political pressure. Perhaps the most plausible mode of retaliation against the U.S. is cyberattacks. Iran-affiliated hacking groups in various parts of the world have readily probed US networks and infrastructures. Critical systems including banking, power grids, water delivery, municipal and health care services and rail and airline operations remain at serious risk as the war with Iran continues. A well-executed cyberattack could disrupt essential services in our country and Commonwealth without a single bullet fired or bomb exploding.

Homeland security cannot be the province of the federal government alone. Governor Healey and her public safety and homeland security team need to take important steps now to prevent a terrorist attack and communicate to the public what these preventative steps are. Local police agencies and state intelligence officials must deepen real time information exchanges with federal partners like the FBI and Homeland Security. Suspicious activity should be logged and analyzed quickly. Prompt reporting may prevent small threats from becoming violent and destructive crises.

Cybersecurity must be prioritized across city, county and state systems. Municipal utilities, transit systems and local banks should adopt multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, regular penetration testing and robust incident response plans. These are not technical issues as much as essentials in an era of persistent digital attacks.

War with Iran must not become disorder at home. Violence can ripple from global events into local communities. The possibility of retaliatory terrorism is real, but not inevitable. The goal of preparedness is twofold: prevent attacks when possible and limit damage when not. The goal isn’t to live in fear but to ensure that if an act of terrorism is attempted, it is detected, prevented or mitigated before it can harm our families. That’s responsible governance, the kind that protects both lives and liberties in dangerous times.

Billerica’s Rick Pozniak, recognized for his decades in crisis and public communications, was part of a State Department team that trained government and health officials from Pakistan in crisis and emergency response