American counterterrorism agencies are quietly keeping an eye on suspected sleeper cells within the U.S. following joint military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, according to reports this week that cited counterterrorism experts. The increased surveillance comes amid rising concerns about potential retaliation from operatives or sympathizers linked to Iran.In response, federal and local law enforcement have ramped up security across major U.S. cities as a precautionary measure, even though no specific or credible threats have been publicly identified.

This heightened alert follows a significant operation over the weekend, named Operation Epic Fury, which resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking Iranian officials in a coordinated military effort between the U.S. and Israel. Security experts caution that the repercussions of these events could reach far beyond the Middle East.

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“If ever there’s going to be a Hezbollah cell or a Hamas cell act in the United States in a violent way, it’s now,” Chris Swecker, a former assistant FBI director, told Fox News.

“Both organizations are Iranian-backed all the way. Both organizations have had a presence in the United States since the 1980s,” he added.