“We know where most of them are. We got our eye on all of them, I think,” President Trump told the world media this week. The commander in chief was speaking about the possibility of Iranian sleeper cells being embedded and activated in the United States.
The concept of sleeper cells—groups of organised, foreign spies living unremarkable lives until directed into action—may, in the public imagination, feel like something from the movies or the pages of a book. The same goes for lone wolves, individuals who operate without direct command or support from a larger organization.
The president speaking to this threat on the tarmac in front of Air Force One crystallized the long-held reality for defense and counterterrorism experts. Sources who spoke to *Fortune* are of the opinion that, out of sheer desperation, the Iranian regime may search for a way to damage the U.S., Israel, or their allies, in a bid for retribution.
That would be a terrible decision. Currently the war is unpopular with a large percentage of Americans, mainly because they do not view Iran as a direct threat. If an Iranian sleeper cell activates and kills a bunch of Americans in America, that apathy will disappear in exchange for anger towards Iran.
1nvertedAfram3 on
not until the world cup
infamusforever223 on
It’s smarter for them to just continue doing what they’re doing. The war is very unpopular here in the US and the administration won’t survive high oil prices.
Cannot-Forget on
I used to think this is a possibility as well. But since it hasn’t happened yet I have major doubts Iran has that capability. Guessing US intelligence services and/or the FBI have been doing a great job these last decades. Because I’m sure Iran would try something like that.
PerformerRelevant465 on
Bibi not khomenei
BuffaloSorcery on
This makes me think more that the US will stage an attack on the US more than I fear Iran activating „sleeper cells“
Dull_Conversation669 on
Leftist media hoping and praying anyway.
GRAMS_ on
Ah, the false flag ops abound.
Narf234 on
I am certainly not a flag waving yahoo but attacking the US would be a terrible idea if Iran is looking for an out in this conflict.
Firecracker048 on
Im gonna say it.
If it was gonna happen, it already would have. Iran is not a regime that holds anything back. If it can do something, it will. If it can’t do something, it can’t.
superphly on
How did sleeper cell folks get into the US?!!?!
dorkofthepolisci on
Is there sufficient evidence to suggest these sleeper cells *actually exist* in the US?
no_okaymaybe on
This is just fear mongering.
shadowfax12221 on
I think it’d be counterproductive to attack the homeland at this juncture. The Iranian strategy at the moment is to maximize economic pain and wait for political will to falter at home, which I think it pretty sound give the conspicuous lack of long term planning capacity demonstrated by the Trump administration. Attacking the homeland could cause a rally around the flag effect and provoke an escalation. The regime doesn’t want a ground invasion, as much as they may bluster about being ready for one.
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“We know where most of them are. We got our eye on all of them, I think,” President Trump told the world media this week. The commander in chief was speaking about the possibility of Iranian sleeper cells being embedded and activated in the United States.
The concept of sleeper cells—groups of organised, foreign spies living unremarkable lives until directed into action—may, in the public imagination, feel like something from the movies or the pages of a book. The same goes for lone wolves, individuals who operate without direct command or support from a larger organization.
The president speaking to this threat on the tarmac in front of Air Force One crystallized the long-held reality for defense and counterterrorism experts. Sources who spoke to *Fortune* are of the opinion that, out of sheer desperation, the Iranian regime may search for a way to damage the U.S., Israel, or their allies, in a bid for retribution.
Read more: [https://fortune.com/2026/03/15/sleeper-cells-lone-wolf-threat-iran-us-attack-defense-experts/](https://fortune.com/2026/03/15/sleeper-cells-lone-wolf-threat-iran-us-attack-defense-experts/)
That would be a terrible decision. Currently the war is unpopular with a large percentage of Americans, mainly because they do not view Iran as a direct threat. If an Iranian sleeper cell activates and kills a bunch of Americans in America, that apathy will disappear in exchange for anger towards Iran.
not until the world cup
It’s smarter for them to just continue doing what they’re doing. The war is very unpopular here in the US and the administration won’t survive high oil prices.
I used to think this is a possibility as well. But since it hasn’t happened yet I have major doubts Iran has that capability. Guessing US intelligence services and/or the FBI have been doing a great job these last decades. Because I’m sure Iran would try something like that.
Bibi not khomenei
This makes me think more that the US will stage an attack on the US more than I fear Iran activating „sleeper cells“
Leftist media hoping and praying anyway.
Ah, the false flag ops abound.
I am certainly not a flag waving yahoo but attacking the US would be a terrible idea if Iran is looking for an out in this conflict.
Im gonna say it.
If it was gonna happen, it already would have. Iran is not a regime that holds anything back. If it can do something, it will. If it can’t do something, it can’t.
How did sleeper cell folks get into the US?!!?!
Is there sufficient evidence to suggest these sleeper cells *actually exist* in the US?
This is just fear mongering.
I think it’d be counterproductive to attack the homeland at this juncture. The Iranian strategy at the moment is to maximize economic pain and wait for political will to falter at home, which I think it pretty sound give the conspicuous lack of long term planning capacity demonstrated by the Trump administration. Attacking the homeland could cause a rally around the flag effect and provoke an escalation. The regime doesn’t want a ground invasion, as much as they may bluster about being ready for one.