Increasing tensions between Washington and Tehran have revived
New York Police Department concerns that Iranian agents may
already have targeted the city for terror attacks. Such attacks
could be aimed at bridges and tunnels, Jewish organizations
and Wall Street, NYPD briefers told security execs last fall,
according to a person with access to the briefing materials
who asked for anonymity because of the sensitive subject matter.
NYPD officials have worried about possible
Iranian-sponsored attacks since a series of incidents involving
officials of the Iranian Mission to the United Nations. In November
2003, Ahmad Safari and Alireaza Safi, described as Iranian Mission
"security" personnel, were detained by transit cops when they
were seen videotaping subway tracks from Queens to Manhattan
at 1:10 in the morning. The men later left New York. "We're
concerned that Iranian agents were engaged in reconnaissance
that might be used in an attack against New York City at some
future date," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told NEWSWEEK.
A spokesman for the Iranian Mission in New York said he was
aware of the allegations but had no immediate comment.
