U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced over the weekend the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals illegally present in the United States, alongside a U.S. citizen accused of threatening law enforcement and harboring an undocumented individual.
These arrests come as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin, warning of a “heightened threat environment” in the U.S. due to escalating tensions with Iran.
READ: DHS Issues Terrorism Advisory In The U.S. Amid Heightened Iran Conflict Tensions
“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.”
The arrests include individuals with concerning backgrounds:
Ribvar Karimi, arrested in Locust, Alabama, on June 22. Karimi reportedly served as an Iranian Army sniper from 2018 to 2021 and was found with an Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card. He entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa in October 2024 but never adjusted his status, a legal requirement.
Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, arrested in Houston on June 22, was found carrying a loaded 9mm pistol. He had a final order of removal from 2019, following a 2017 arrest for assaulting a family member.
Hamid Reza Bayat, also arrested in Houston, had been ordered removed nearly 20 years ago, in August 2005. He has prior convictions for drug crimes and driving on a suspended license.
READ: Trump’s Israel-Iran Ceasefire: GOP Rep Hails Nobel Pick, Dem Demands Impeachment
Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, apprehended in Tempe, Arizona, on June 22, had a final order of removal and was previously convicted of threatening a law enforcement officer and firearm possession. He failed to depart voluntarily after being granted the option in 2013.
Linet Vartaniann, a U.S. citizen, was arrested at the same Tempe residence for threatening to “open fire” on ICE officials and “shoot ICE officers in the head” while harboring Eidivand. Both face federal charges.
Yousef Mehridehno, arrested in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, on June 22, was a former lawful permanent resident whose status was terminated in 2017 due to lying on his visa application and potential marriage fraud. He was listed as a “known or suspected terrorist” in February.
Mahmoud Shafiei and Mehrdad Mehdipour, two Iranian nationals living together, were arrested in Colorado Springs on June 22. Shafiei has a history of drug convictions, assault, and child abuse, with a removal order from 1987. Mehdipour was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in June 2023 and processed for expedited removal.
Mehran Makari Saheli, arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 22, is a 56-year-old Iranian national convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with admitted connections to Hezbollah and had an outstanding removal order from June 2022.
Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, arrested in San Francisco on June 22, is a 62-year-old Iranian national with a criminal history including petty theft and possession of a controlled substance for sale, for which he served a 10-year prison sentence.
Mohammad Rafikian, arrested in Buffalo on June 23, is a 65-year-old Iranian national convicted of grand larceny, schemes to defraud, criminal impersonation, and practicing as an attorney.
Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, arrested in San Diego on June 23, is a 57-year-old Iranian national convicted of forging an official seal.
All arrested Iranian nationals are currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
The DHS NTAS Bulletin, effective June 22, 2025, warns the public of a “heightened threat environment” in the United States. This increased risk is directly attributed to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has recently seen direct U.S. military intervention with strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
While the bulletin clarifies that there are no specific, credible threats against the homeland at this time, it outlines several concerning trends:
- Cyber Threats: The bulletin warns of a likely increase in low-level cyberattacks by pro-Iranian hacktivists and potential targeted attacks against U.S. networks by more sophisticated cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government.
- Targeting of U.S. Officials: Iran maintains a long-standing commitment to target U.S. Government officials it holds responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander in January 2020.
- Domestic Mobilization to Violence: The likelihood of violent extremists in the U.S. independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict could increase, particularly if Iranian leadership were to issue a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence.
- Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel Sentiment: The bulletin notes that several recent homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing conflict could further contribute to U.S.-based individuals plotting additional attacks.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, “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.”
DHS and the FBI are actively engaging with state and local law enforcement partners to ensure they have the necessary information to protect their communities.
The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or threats of violence, including online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or their local Fusion Center. In case of emergency, individuals are advised to call 911. The NTAS Bulletin is set to expire on September 22, 2025.
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