Metro

De Blasio hints New Yorkers may face subway bag checks after death of Iran general

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday that New Yorkers may face more subway bag checks and car stops on bridges and tunnels as officials up security in the aftermath of the deadly US airstrike on the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force.

“What we have to assume based on previous knowledge is that the Iranians will have interest in prominent targets — well-known American locations, so we will obviously keep special watch over those,” Hizzoner said at a briefing with NYPD brass.

“We also know that deterrence is achieved by being unpredictable, so if we think bag checks are necessary we will do bag checks — whatever it is going to take.”

De Blasio laid out the security plan with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and Deputy Commissioner John Miller hours after US missiles killed a top Iranian military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport.





The state-run MTA also echoed the call for bolstered security.

City and MTA officials tried to tamp down fears of possible reprisal attacks, saying the city is not currently facing any imminent threats. The likeliest targets for Iranian retaliation would likely be overseas, they added.

However, officials asked New Yorkers to remain on alert and report any suspicious activity

“If you see something that looks out of the ordinary, say something to MTA or law enforcement personnel,” said MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren in a statement Friday.





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