The threat to Pearl Harbor comes as al Qaeda terrorists are said to be planning a major attack against the United States, either on U.S. territory or overseas.
Intelligence reports last month indicated that the Islamist terror group wants to carry out a major attack to rival the September 11 strikes on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. According to the reports, the attack could be preceded by smaller-scale attacks, such as assassinations of public figures or smaller bombing attacks.
The major attack is suspected by the CIA to be al Qaeda's first attack using deadly chemical, biological or radiological weapons.