New York City police have beefed up security at iconic locations like the Empire State Building and World Trade Center amid online “chatter” about terror threats.

The NYPD also is beefing up security at houses of worship and increasing counterterrorism staffing.

The State Department says U.S. diplomatic posts in 19 cities in the Muslim world will be closed for the end of the week.

It says the move was made out of an abundance of caution and is not an indication of a new threat.

Lawmakers, though, have said the intercepted chatter suggested that a major terrorist attack was in the planning stages. One lawmaker said the chatter included specifics about dates and the scope of the operation.

(AP)