The FBI recently warned law enforcement agencies across California that Iran had allegedly considered launching a drone strike against the West Coast in retaliation for American military operations, according to an intelligence bulletin reviewed by ABC News.
The alert, distributed to police departments and Joint Terrorism Task Force partners at the end of February, stated that federal authorities had obtained information suggesting Iran was eyeing a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles launched from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast. The intended targets were described only as “unspecified” locations in California.
“We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the bulletin stated, according to ABC News.
The bulletin noted that the potential strike was contingent on the United States carrying out military action against Iran — a threshold that has since been crossed. The Trump administration launched its military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28 in coordination with Israel, and the conflict has now entered its 12th day. Iran has responded with waves of drone and missile strikes against American targets and Gulf nations throughout the Middle East.
Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that the intelligence was not considered credible at this time, and that such alerts are cautionary in nature. One source with knowledge of the memo said the warning originated from intelligence received by the U.S. Coast Guard.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday at a press conference that his office had been aware of the threat and had already been sharing relevant information with local partners. “We are aware of that information, and we transferred that information in real time to our local partners,” Mr. Newsom said. “Drone issues have always been top of mind, and we’ve assembled some work groups specifically around those concerns.”
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said it has elevated its security posture since the conflict began and is coordinating with state, local and federal officials. “The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is actively working with state, local, and federal security officials to protect our communities,” a spokesperson said. A spokeswoman for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
When asked Wednesday whether he was concerned about Iran expanding its retaliation to U.S. soil, President Trump said simply, “No, I’m not.”
ABC News contributor John Cohen, the former head of intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security, said the threat should be taken seriously given Iran’s regional reach and existing relationships in Latin America. “We know Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America, they have relationships, they have the drones and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks,” Mr. Cohen told ABC News. “The FBI is smart for putting this warning out so that state and locals can be better able to prepare and respond to these types of threats.”
Intelligence officials have long worried about adversaries pre-positioning equipment, on land or aboard ships, in anticipation of a conflict with the United States or Israel. The FBI’s alert did not specify how or when a vessel carrying attack drones could approach the American coastline close enough to launch a strike.
The warning also comes amid growing concern inside U.S. intelligence circles about the weaponization of drones by Mexican drug cartels. A September 2025 bulletin reviewed by ABC News warned that unidentified cartel leaders had allegedly authorized the use of explosive-carrying drones against American law enforcement and military personnel near the southern border, a scenario described as unprecedented but “plausible.”
The California drone warning arrives as the broader conflict with Iran escalates on multiple fronts. Three merchant vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, raising the number of ships attacked since the war began to 14. Iran has closed the strait to tanker traffic, sending crude oil prices surging past $100 a barrel and prompting the International Energy Agency to authorize its largest-ever coordinated release of emergency oil reserves. Seven U.S. soldiers have been killed and eight seriously wounded, according to the Pentagon.
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