Retired FBI supervisory special agent Dennis Franks believes covert cells may already exist in the U.S.
HOUSTON, Texas — With a military base now being targeted after weekend air strikes in Iran, Navy dad Kenneth Bailey knows the potential danger for his son moving forward. But he told us that he backs the decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites.
“I think Iran is a rogue nation and to have that nuclear capability can hurt all of us,” Bailey said.
Not only are tensions high overseas, many cities here at home are ramping up resolve, as should all of us individually according to retired FBI supervisory special agent Dennis Franks.
“I don’t want people not to go about their business, but you’ve got to be careful now,” Franks said.
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Franks, who’s helped organize security plans for Super Bowls, believes big events like Freedom Over Texas and upcoming Beyoncé concerts will be getting added attention even if agencies don’t publicly reveal plans.
“We’ve known for years that Iran and Hezbollah have been developing a network of covert cells around the world,” Franks said. “Undoubtedly, they have cells in the U.S.”
“Another concern that I have is going to be sympathizers acting out on their own,” he added.
He said identifying evacuation routes and having an emergency plan yourself is essential no matter the event.
“It is common sense, but it’s valid,” Franks said.
He said heeding travel warnings and other alerts is also advisable, but don’t let fear stop you from living your life,. Just be well-informed and ready to react responsibly if something happens.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office issued this statement late Monday afternoon:
June 23, 2025 — Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is asking residents to do their part to keep Harris County safe in light of a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Bulletin warns that the ongoing conflict with Iran is causing a heightened threat environment across the nation.
“The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is actively coordinating with public safety partners at all levels of government to identify, assess, and swiftly respond to potential threats against our region,” Sheriff Gonzalez said. “While we’re aware of no credible threats of imminent violence at this moment, we will remain especially vigilant during this time of international conflict. At the same time, we know that our residents are often the best source of key information that we rely upon to keep our community safe.”
Key public safety concerns cited by the Bulletin include domestic violent extremism and retaliatory violence on U.S. soil, anti-Semitic or anti-Israel violence, cyber-attacks targeting U.S. networks, and threats to U.S. government officials.
Sheriff Gonzalez encourages residents to take the following steps:
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