After a US airstrike that killed a top Iranian general, NYPD is on alert and stepping up security around the city.
Iran told the US that there would be a “harsh retaliation” for the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was head of Iran’s elite Quds Force. This is a major escalation in the standoff between Washington D.C. and Iran.
Mayor de Blasio shared a tweet, which said, “Have spoken with Commissioner Shea + Dep Commissioner Miller about immediate steps NYPD will take to protect key NYC locations from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against America. We will have to be vigilant against this threat for a long time to come.”
Have spoken with Commissioner Shea + Dep Commissioner Miller about immediate steps NYPD will take to protect key NYC locations from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against America. We will have to be vigilant against this threat for a long time to come.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2020
New York City is not the only US city taking precautions; ABC reports that Los Angeles is also doing the same.
ABC also reported that the Secure Community Network, the nation’s top organization dedicated to protecting synagogues and Jewish institutions have issued notices to their teams and synagogue leaders to be extra vigilant. They have been told to report any suspicious activities.
It was reported that the notice read, “Hezbollah and Iran have in the past responded to attacks via overseas terrorism, such as the 1994 suicide truck bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 1992 attack at the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires.”
Additionally, The United States urged American citizens to leave Iraq “immediately” after the Friday morning airstrike.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that a “harsh retaliation is waiting,” after the airstrike. It was reported that Khamenei called for three days of public mourning.
He appointed Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, Soleimani’s deputy to take over the role.
It was reported that worshippers in Tehran, the capital took to the streets Friday and condemned the killing, chanting “Death to deceitful America.”
