Anti-Muslim hate surges in US as attacks rise eleven-fold amid Iran war

Nadine Osman

Anti-Muslim attacks across the United States have reached a 15-month high, rising eleven-fold in the first three months of the year, according to the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

The sharp increase comes against the backdrop of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which analysts say is fuelling hostility towards Muslim communities nationwide. At least nine incidents were recorded in March alone, including mosque vandalism, bomb threats and sexual assaults targeting Muslim women. Experts warn that the rhetoric underpinning such attacks is becoming increasingly normalised.

“It’s become so mainstream to talk about Muslims,” said Khuram Zaman of MPAC, pointing to a marked shift since the conflict escalated in late February.

MPAC’s report, The Pitfalls of Operation Epic Fury, identifies the launch of military operations on February 28 as a key turning point. It argues the conflict is rooted in a “decapitation fallacy”, the belief that targeting Iranian leadership would secure a swift victory, but has instead escalated into a wider regional crisis, fuelling domestic suspicion and what it describes as the “wholesale securitisation” of Muslim communities.

Online abuse has also surged. Researchers recorded a spike in dehumanising and violent anti-Muslim content on X in the hours following the outbreak of war. Data from early 2026 indicates that Islamophobic posts exceeded 279,000 mentions, reflecting a dramatic increase in the reach of harmful content immediately after the initial airstrikes.

Some of this rhetoric has entered mainstream politics. Republican lawmakers, including Randy Fine and Andy Ogles, have faced criticism for inflammatory remarks, with critics warning such language risks legitimising discrimination.

Concerns have also been raised over the emergence of a “Sharia-Free America” caucus, which now reportedly includes more than 60 members, among them Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Co-chaired by Representatives Keith Self and Chip Roy, the group has used official platforms to describe Islam as a radical ideology incompatible with Western values. Some members have advocated policies including deportations and stricter restrictions targeting Muslims.

Advocacy groups say the trend mirrors patterns seen after the September 11 attacks, when international conflicts led to a surge in domestic hostility.

However, they warn that the current rise, amplified by social media, is both faster and broader in scope, with potentially deeper consequences. The report cautions that escalating tensions risk eroding civil liberties, increasing surveillance of Muslim communities and undermining social cohesion.

It also highlights a growing spillover effect, with Sikh, Hindu and other minority communities facing abuse due to perceived religious identity.

Campaigners are urging authorities to act swiftly to condemn hate speech, hold perpetrators to account and impose greater oversight on online platforms accused of allowing toxic content to spread unchecked. Yet many say the response so far has been inadequate.

“When it’s Muslims and our communities, there doesn’t seem to be that sense of urgency,” Zaman said.