New York City and state authorities moved to a high-security footing Saturday after a massive joint military operation by the United States and Israel targeted Iran, prompting local leaders to increase police presence at sensitive sites and issue starkly different assessments of the unfolding conflict.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani both announced heightened security measures across the five boroughs and statewide, citing a need for vigilance even as they noted that no specific, credible threats against New York have been identified.
In a statement released Saturday, Governor Hochul said the New York State Police are increasing their presence at religious, diplomatic, and cultural sites. The surge in security comes just ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, with state authorities already conducting outreach to religious organizations.
“While there have been no specific, credible threats to New York identified, we continue to monitor online activity for any potential threats,” Hochul said. “We encourage New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.”
The state’s move to bolster security follows “Operation Epic Fury,” a series of overnight strikes that President Donald Trump described as a campaign to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and remove its leadership.
In New York City, Mayor Mamdani offered a sharp rebuke of the military action, labeling the strikes a “catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.” The mayor, who took office earlier this year, said he had been in constant contact with the Police Commissioner and emergency management officials to coordinate the city’s defensive posture.
“Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war. Americans do not want this,” Mamdani said in a statement. “I am focused on making sure that every New Yorker is safe. We are taking proactive steps, including increasing coordination across agencies and enhancing patrols of sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution.”
The New York Police Department has increased patrols around mosques, synagogues, and diplomatic missions, according to city hall. Mamdani also issued a direct appeal to the city’s Iranian community, which has faced periods of heightened tension during previous Middle East conflicts.
“You are part of the fabric of this city — you are our neighbors, small business owners, students, artists, workers, and community leaders,” Mamdani said. “You will be safe here.”
The military strikes have triggered a wave of retaliation from Tehran, with Iranian forces firing missiles and drones at U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf and targets in Israel. While the conflict remains thousands of miles away, the NYPD’s Counterterrorism Bureau said it is operating at a heightened state of awareness, a standard procedure for the city during major international escalations.
State officials said the increased State Police presence would remain in effect indefinitely as they monitor the fallout of the strikes and the reported death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
