When President Trump authorized airstrikes targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities in late June, defense experts warned it wasn’t just a blow to Tehran—it might spark retaliation inside the U.S. itself.
Now, troubling new evidence is pointing to a decades-old alliance between Iran and Venezuela that may have laid the groundwork for just that possibility.
How a South American Passport Could Be the Key to Infiltrating the U.S.
A list obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail suggests that Venezuela has allegedly been handing out passports to people from Iran, Syria, and Lebanon—some of whom might pose national security risks.
These passports would allow them to travel freely through parts of South America, where, experts say, they could then make their way to the United States by slipping across the southern border.
This has alarmed counterterrorism analysts, who say sleeper agents could have been embedded in U.S. communities long before the recent airstrikes.
One former FBI agent and military veteran, Jonathan Gilliam, didn’t mince words—he said the chances of an attack inside the U.S. are now “high.”
Maduro’s Role in an Alleged Terror Gateway
At the heart of this suspected operation is Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro—long aligned with Iran.
The list, compiled over ten years by a former Venezuelan government insider, reportedly includes more than 10,400 individuals from the Middle East who were given Venezuelan passports between 2010 and 2019.
Most were men, many in their 60s, but shockingly, one was just two years old when they were issued a passport—meaning they’re now turning 10.
This isn’t the first time red flags have been raised. As far back as 2006, the U.S. State Department flagged concerns over how easy it was for unauthorized people to obtain Venezuelan ID documents.
And in 2017, a Venezuelan whistleblower working in Iraq told CNN he had uncovered a similar scheme involving Arabic names and Venezuelan passports.
A Web of Warnings—and Growing Concern
Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela James Story has confirmed the legitimacy of the list’s source and warned that Venezuela has, for years, destabilized the region.
According to Story, Maduro’s government has helped provide documentation to individuals from countries like Iran and Lebanon—people who might otherwise raise security concerns.
“The real threat comes from Iran,” Story emphasized, echoing fears that these passport holders could be granted easy access to the Americas and eventually the U.S.
Border Numbers Tell a Worrying Story
From January 2021 through October 2023—during the Biden presidency—U.S. border officials reported over 380,000 Venezuelan nationals arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Among them were more than 1,500 Iranians and 382 individuals flagged on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist.
Many of these people were allowed to remain in the U.S. while awaiting immigration hearings.
Behind the scenes, the FBI says its agents have been working with the Department of Homeland Security to monitor possible threats, especially in light of the June Iran strikes.
The Intelligence Trail—and a Mysterious List
The former Venezuelan official who leaked the list told the Daily Mail he had already handed it over to DHS.
Yet, when asked for confirmation, a DHS spokesperson claimed not to know whether the Department had received it.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says it reviewed emails showing clear communication between the whistleblower and an ICE liaison.
A State Department official wouldn’t say whether they had the list but acknowledged it’s no secret that Venezuela and Iran are closely tied.
The Man Behind the Alleged Passport Plot
One name repeatedly tied to this passport scheme is Ghazi Nasr Al-Din, a former acting Venezuelan Ambassador to Syria.
According to the FBI’s Miami field office, Al-Din had extensive ties to Hezbollah, met with its senior leaders, and even advised donors on how to funnel money directly to the group.
In 2015, Al-Din was added to the FBI’s terror watchlist.
His activities reportedly included helping Hezbollah members move in and out of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Response: Total Denial
When reached for comment, the Venezuelan Embassy in Damascus flatly denied the accusations.
In a statement, they said: “Terrorism and terrorists are elsewhere.
Venezuela is a country and a territory of peace and love.”
Still, former Ambassador Thor Halvorssen, now president of the Human Rights Foundation, says he’s convinced these passports helped thousands of people from Iran, Syria, and Lebanon move freely around the world under false Venezuelan identities.
“They’re Already Here”—A Chilling Warning
“They are everywhere,” Halvorssen said. “Some are driving Uber, some are working in banks, some might even be with TSA.
We don’t know.” He believes many of these individuals are already inside the U.S.—living normal lives, but possibly waiting for a signal.
When asked if Trump’s Iran airstrikes might wake up these so-called sleeper cells, Halvorssen replied grimly: “I fear they’re already awake and operational.”