The FBI and FAA launched an investigation Monday (Jan. 4) after receiving reports that a plane was going to fly into the Capitol on Wednesday to avenge the death of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.
Senior U.S. national security officials said they received reports of a threat that a plane would hit the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, as first reported by CBS.
According to the report, in an audio clip, a computer-generated voice says, “We’re going to fly a plane into the Capitol on Wednesday (Jan. 6) to avenge Suleimani’s death.”
Suleimani is the head of Iran’s Quds Force, the elite of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Sulaimani in Iraq with precision. U.S. officials believe the Iranian general is as dangerous as the Islamic State and that he is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. troops.
A national security official told Fox News that “the agencies” had been informed that the threat report was “not credible. But “while it may be a hoax, it’s being taken seriously.”
In a statement to Fox News, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the agency “takes all threats of violence to public safety seriously.” Capitol Police are working with federal law enforcement partners.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that the agency is working with authorities and national security partners on “reports of threats that could affect aviation security.
Pilots were told Wednesday to remain vigilant at all times for aircraft that deviate from standard flight patterns.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to avenge Suleimani’s death. Shortly after his death, Tehran carried out an airstrike on a U.S. base in Iraq that left more than 100 U.S. troops with concussions.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Congress will hold a joint session to certify the results of the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election.
Recent Comments