De Blasio: 'No Specific Credible Threat' of NYC Subway Attacks

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday there is "no specific credible threat" of terrorists intending to attack the city's subway system, though security was ramped up after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told reporters he was aware of a threat.

In a press conference just hours after the report, de Blasio said New York operates at heightened security level on a regular basis.

"New Yorkers can rest assured, a high rate of vigilance and readiness is normal for all of us in New York City government," he said.

"We are convinced that New Yorkers are safe. We are convinced people should go about their normal routine. Terrorists want us to live in fear. We refuse to live in fear," he said.

Still, he said, authorities will be watching around the clock for any indication of a problem.

And he asked residents to continue to be vigilant, repeating the phrase, "When you see something, say something."

De Blasio said there will be no final plan until there is credible information.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said that actions were immediately taken as soon as the Iraqi prime minister's words were reported by The Associated Press.

He said the city already was on high alert because of a U.N. General Assembly meeting that hosted world leaders this week.

But he said subsequent clarifications of the prime minister's remarks showed the threat was not specifically aimed at subways.

The mayor and commissioner's words sounded far different from Abaid's comments earlier in the day.

"Today, while I am here, I am receiving accurate reports from Baghdad where there was [the] arrest of [a] few elements and there are networks planning from inside Iraq to have attacks," the prime minister had told reporters in New York while he was in town for the U.N. event.

"They plan to have attacks in the metros of Paris and the U.S." Abadi said. "I asked for more credible information. I asked for names. I asked for details, for cities, you know, dates. And from the details I have received, yes, it looks credible."

Related Stories:

• Islamic Radicals Often Suffer Depression: Study
• ISIS Executes Women's Rights Activist