Gov. Josh Shapiro reassured Pennsylvanians about their safety following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and stated there is “no threat to the people of Pennsylvania.”
Shapiro’s comments, which were reported by WGAL-TV in Lancaster, came after federal authorities have briefed state governors and police agencies nationwide about a “heightened threat environment” in the U.S.
Local police agencies were also issued a warning by the National Terrorism Advisory System.
While no specific threats were cited, the advisory cautioned against “low-level cyberattacks against U.S. networks.”
“The conflict could also motivate violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators seeking to attack targets perceived to be Jewish, pro-Israel, or linked to the US government or military in the Homeland,” it further stated.
“Our job every single day is to ensure the safety and well-being of the good people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “Our security team, our state police, homeland security, and others, we’ve been in dialogue with one another to make sure that there’s no threat to the commonwealth as a result of what happened overseas.”
Concerns about potential retaliation have been raised by some lawmakers and officials in President Donald Trump’s administration, who have spoken about the threat of Iranian sleeper cells in the U.S.
Federal immigration officials touted 11 arrests of Iranian citizens, some who had ties to Iran’s armed forces. However, they have no alleged any were planning violence in the country.
Iran has a decades-long history of making threats and carrying out and planning attacks in the U.S., including of top American officials and dissidents.
Shapiro acknowledged that foreign policy is not typically within his purview as governor, but he addressed the recent strikes. He pointed to the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East.
“I don’t think any of us want to get dragged into another long war in the Middle East,” Shapiro said, adding that “it is important that we are vigilant about that.”
He highlighted the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons, calling it “very, very dangerous” and a risk to American interests at home and abroad.
The governor thanked American troops, including those from Pennsylvania, involved in the strikes. He also called for a renewed focus on diplomacy, de-escalation, and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages.
“We need peace in the Middle East,” Shapiro said. “We need to end these hostilities, bringing home these hostages is key to that.”
The governor said “it is good if Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.”
Shapiro commended the troops who carried out the strikes and noted some were from Pennsylvania.
Per the White House, Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire after a brief war.
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