The FBI has issued a serious warning to police departments across California, alerting them to intelligence suggesting that Iran had been exploring a drone-based attack against the West Coast as a form of retaliation against the United States. The bulletin, distributed at the end of February, outlined concerns that dated back to early 2026 and has since prompted heightened security measures at the state and local level.
According to the alert, which was reviewed by ABC News, the intelligence indicated that Iran had allegedly been considering a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles launched from an unidentified vessel positioned off the U.S. coastline, with California as the intended target. Federal authorities noted that at the time of the warning, no specific information was available regarding the timing, method, intended targets, or the individuals who might carry out such an operation.
What prompted the warning
The bulletin arrived just as the Trump administration launched ongoing military strikes against Iran. In the weeks that followed, Iran responded with drone attacks against various targets throughout the Middle East, raising concerns among U.S. intelligence officials about the possibility of retaliation extending beyond the region.
A senior law enforcement official indicated that the roughly 12-day bombardment conducted by the U.S. and Israel is believed to have significantly degraded Iran’s operational capabilities, making a large-scale drone attack on U.S. soil considerably more difficult to execute at this time. Still, federal authorities chose to share the intelligence with local and state partners as a precautionary measure to ensure readiness.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office declined to comment on the matter, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment.
California’s response to the threat
California’s state government and local law enforcement agencies moved quickly to address the warning. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services had been working closely with federal, state, and local security officials to maintain the safety of communities throughout the state.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also confirmed it had elevated its operational readiness in light of current global events. The department said it has increased patrols around houses of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent sites across the county, particularly given ongoing religious observances. Officials added that deployment plans had been proactively reviewed and that additional resources were made available as a contingency.
A broader concern: Cartels and drones along the southern border
The Iranian threat isn’t the only drone-related concern drawing attention from federal authorities. U.S. intelligence officials have separately grown worried about the increasing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels and the potential for that technology to be turned against American law enforcement or military personnel along the U.S.-Mexico border.
A September 2025 bulletin, also reviewed by ABC News, revealed that an unverified report had suggested cartel leaders had discussed authorizing drone strikes carrying explosives against U.S. personnel near the border. While such an attack would be unprecedented and cartels typically avoid actions that could draw significant federal attention, authorities acknowledged it represents a credible scenario worth monitoring.
Security analysts note that Iran has a known presence in Mexico and South America and has longstanding relationships in the region, adding a layer of complexity to how both threats could potentially intersect.
The FBI’s decision to share the intelligence proactively with state and local agencies has been widely viewed as a critical step in enabling law enforcement at all levels to better prepare for emerging and evolving threats on American soil.
Source: ABC News
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