‘Zero Hour’: Intercepted Communications Signaled an Imminent Terror Attack
Summary
In the days before the September 11 attacks, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) intercepted messages suggesting a terrorist attack was coming soon. However, these messages were not quickly translated or shared, and the intelligence community did not know the attack’s exact time, place, or method.Key Facts
- On September 8, 2001, the NSA first intercepted communications indicating a possible terrorist attack was near.
- From August 27 onward, messages referenced an attack involving aviation and used phrases like "cut the eagle’s throat," seen as a threat against the U.S.
- On September 10, intercepted messages said, "The match is about to begin," and "Tomorrow is zero hour," meaning the attack would happen soon.
- These messages were not translated into English or widely shared until after September 11.
- Between May and July 2001, the NSA found at least 33 messages about a possible impending attack, causing high alert levels.
- CIA director George Tenet was very concerned about these threats in June 2001.
- Despite past warnings, the NSA and intelligence agencies did not treat the later September intercepts with urgency.
- The exact details of the planned attack were not revealed by these communications, causing confusion on how to act.
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