Hezbollah may activate sleeper cells

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- As concerns rise over Iran's nuclear program, U.S. security agents reportedly fear the Hezbollah terror group may be planning to attack U.S. cities.

The New York Post, quoting sources, said the Lebanon-based fundamentalist Islamic group may be planning to activate sleeper cells in New York or other big cities. The investigation is being carried out by the FBI and the Justice Department.

Quoting law-enforcement and intelligence officials, the newspaper said about a dozen hard-core supporters of Hezbollah have been identified in recent weeks as operating in the New York area. The Iranian Mission to the United Nations also is being watched.

But U.S. officials also told the newspaper there is no intelligence information pointing to an imminent attack by Hezbollah.

The stepped up security activity comes after reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had met with leaders of Hezbollah and other terror groups during a visit to Syria, the report said.