Security in Washington, D.C., has increased as tensions grow between Iran and the United States.
White House security was tight Tuesday night after the Iranian attack against at least two bases in Iraq that house U.S. forces, according to CNN. Secret Service members holding assault rifles were seen at checkpoints near the White House.
Both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visited the White House after the attacks, which the Pentagon has confirmed and for which Iran has taken credit. The attacks came less than a week after the U.S. killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a Baghdad drone strike.
Some gates at military bases around the District have been closed, and authorities are carrying out more stringent identity checks of visitors, despite there being no specific threat in the area.
Sgt. Eduardo Delgado, the U.S. Park Police spokesman, told the Washington Post that there will be a more visible presence of officers given the Iranian threat.
“There’s no specific threats,” Delgado said. “It’s just an abundance of precaution.”
Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, which houses Air Force One, updated some of its security procedures beginning Tuesday.
“We are confident Joint Base Andrews is still one of the safest places in the world to live and work, and we will continue working hard to keep it that way,” a statement from the base read.
Soleimani was the 62-year-old commander of the Quds Force. Soleimani’s successor, Gen. Esmail Ghaani, vowed on Monday to “rid the region of America.” Trump has threatened “major retaliation” if the country seeks revenge.
