FBI Agents Returned To Counterterrorism Investigations After Bombing Of Iran Nuclear Sites: Report

The FBI has returned agents to counter terrorism investigations after diverting them to immigration-related matters over concerns about potential attacks from Iran after striking its nuclear sites during the weekend.

NBC News reported that Don Holstead, the assistant director for counter terrorism, issued the guidance over the weekend to have agents who had been reassigned return to their original tasks.

The FBI did not confirm nor deny the decision, but said in a statement that "we continuously assess and realign our resources to respond to the most pressing threats to our national security and to ensure the safety of the American people."

The change is being reported a day after Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice was on "high alert" Monday due to a group of Iranian nationals who entered the country during the Biden administration.

Bondi warned of the alert Monday during a House budget hearing in which bipartisan lawmakers argued that proposed funding cuts to the Justice Department, including the FBI, may be unwise due to unrest in the Middle East.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, asked if the attorney general knew how many Iranians who reportedly entered the country unlawfully during the Biden administration had been convicted of crimes. Bondi said she was unsure, but that more than 1,000 entered the country in the previous administration.

"And I can tell you, we are on high alert, and everyone is looking at that very closely," Bondi said.

Bondi's remarks are similar to a notice issued a day prior by the department she leads. The notice said that the Iran conflict "is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States," citing the possibility of extremists in the country "independently mobilizing to violence" if Iranian leaders were to call for it. The department also said cyberattacks and incidents of antisemitism could increase.

Iran had indeed reportedly warned the Trump administration about it potentially activating sleeper cells in the U.S. to conduct terror attacks. The warning took place before Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites, after which Iran retaliated with attacks against the U.S. base in Qatar, widely seen as an invitation to de-escalate, and a ceasefire a day later.