TSA agent

Airports, Ports of Entry on High Alert After Iranian Missile Attack on U.S. Troops

Airlines are also suspending flights to and from Iraq, Iran and other countries due to threats of missile attacks, one of which is suspected to have downed a Ukrainian passenger plane.

Major airports across the country are on heightened alert following Iran’s missile attack on bases that contain American troops in Iraq on Wednesday.

Ports of entry were already on a higher alert following the continuing fallout from the killing of the Iranian military leader Qasem Suleimani last week. The strikes are unlikely to change security levels, according to Gil Kerlikowske, who oversaw Customs and Border Protection for three years in the Obama administration.

“CBP will continue to be on this heightened sense of awareness, so I don’t see a significant change in posture,” Kerlikowske told USA TODAY. “I think that CBP will just remain in that heightened alert.”

The Department of Homeland Security published a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin on Saturday, stating that while there was no indication of a “specific, credible threat” to the U.S., an attack could come with little to no warning.

On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said it had notified American-based air carriers that they should suspend any operations that would involve flying over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The announcement came a day before a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 people crashed in Iran, which officials suspect was struck by a missile.

“The FAA will continue closely monitoring events in the Middle East,” the FAA said in a statement. “We continue coordinating with our national security partners and sharing information with U.S. air carriers and foreign civil aviation authorities.”

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines said none of its operations were affected by the order. But other airlines said they have had to suspend flights over the countries indefinitely and adjust routes for flights from Europe. Those airlines include Singapore Airlines, Air France and Qantas Airways. But Qatar Airways said it would continue its flights to Iraq as normal.

Airport officials maintain that their security practices will remain high regardless of the current threat landscape.

“Passengers are always subject to random screening anywhere on airport grounds," Julie Rodriguez, deputy aviation director for the Phoenix Aviation Department, told USA TODAY. "We employ multiple layers of security throughout our airport system and work closely with the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and our law enforcement partners."

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3