Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is raising alarms after revealing that a vessel carrying a group of Iranian nationals was intercepted near the Bahamas, just miles from the U.S. coastline.
Luna, speaking with Florida’s Voice News, called the incident a clear national security threat, intensifying concerns about potential sleeper cell activity following recent U.S. military strikes in the Middle East.
“Am I concerned about sleeper cells? Absolutely. This is NOT a conspiracy theory, it’s a serious national security threat,” Luna stated.
The Florida Republican’s stark warning is one of the first high-profile alerts tying foreign retaliation directly to U.S. homeland vulnerability.
Her remarks come just days after President Donald Trump ordered targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The timing has fueled speculation that the intercepted vessel could be part of a coordinated response from Tehran or its allies.
While officials have yet to confirm whether the Iranian nationals aboard were linked to any plot, Luna’s comments are being echoed by federal agencies.
A bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security, released Monday, stated that the threat of violent extremists operating inside the U.S. would increase if Iranian leadership called for retaliatory action.
The advisory also warned of potential cyberattacks and hate crimes linked to escalating Middle East tensions.
Meanwhile, questions swirl about how such infiltration attempts are even possible.
Critics blame border policies under former President Joe Biden, citing data that over 1,200 Iranian nationals were allowed into the U.S. during his tenure.
Luna and others argue that these lapses may have opened doors for radicals to exploit, according to Trending Politics.
In January, the threat of homegrown terrorism was tragically confirmed when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old extremist, drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 people.
Investigators later revealed Jabbar had expressed support for ISIS and encouraged others to carry out isolated attacks within the U.S.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply.
After the president’s weekend airstrikes reportedly damaged three Iranian nuclear sites, Israel carried out additional strikes on critical targets, including Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard headquarters and the fortified Fordow facility.
Trump celebrated the mission’s success on Truth Social, citing satellite photos. “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,” he wrote. “Obliteration is an accurate term!”
As global tensions mount, domestic security operations are ramping up.
The recently passed Laken Riley Act, signed into law by Trump, authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard to actively assist in intercepting illegal migrants at sea.
The law also mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest no fewer than 3,000 illegal immigrants per day.
The intercepted vessel near the Bahamas is being investigated as part of a broader assessment of potential retaliatory threats.
It remains unclear if the attempt was part of a coordinated mission or simply an opportunistic entry.
Still, Luna’s bold warning has thrust the issue into the national spotlight.
With U.S. forces and intelligence agencies on high alert and foreign adversaries threatening long-term conflict, security officials warn this may be only the beginning.
