Iran May Launch Surprise Drone Attack on California, FBI Warns
An FBI alert warns Iran could launch a surprise drone attack on California from a vessel off the US coast, though officials say Iran’s capabilities may now be degraded.
Kyiv Post
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The FBI has warned police departments in California that Iran may have considered launching a surprise drone attack on the US West Coast from an unidentified vessel offshore.
“We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.”
The bulletin added: “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
The warning was circulated at the end of February, shortly before the Trump administration launched strikes against Iran. Tehran has since retaliated with drone attacks against targets across the Middle East.
According to a senior law enforcement official cited by ABC News, the intelligence about Iran’s potential plans predates the US and Israeli strikes on the country.
The official said the subsequent 12-day bombardment is believed to have significantly degraded Iran’s ability to carry out such an attack.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Los Angeles office declined to comment, while the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
US intelligence officials have also grown increasingly concerned about the spread of drone technology among Mexican drug cartels and the possibility it could be used against American personnel near the southern border.
Ukraine’s Special Ops and Unmanned Systems Forces struck Russian targets in occupied territories, destroying a radar in Crimea and hitting arsenals, drone depots, and air defense.
“An uncorroborated report suggested that unidentified Mexican cartel leaders had authorized attacks using UAS [Unmanned Aircraft Systems] carrying explosives against US law enforcement and US military personnel along the US-Mexico border,” a September 2025 intelligence bulletin reviewed by ABC News said.
It added that such an attack against US personnel or interests inside the United States would be unprecedented but represents a plausible scenario, although cartels typically avoid actions that would attract unwanted attention or responses from US authorities.
California authorities say they are monitoring the situation closely.
“I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at @Cal_OES, to monitor potential threats to California – including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X.
“While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.”
A spokesperson for Governor said the state’s Office of Emergency Services is “actively working with state, local and federal security officials to protect our communities.”
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said that “in light of current global events” it is maintaining an “elevated level of readiness.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, and in recognition of current religious observances, the Department has continued increased patrols around places of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent locations throughout the County,” the department said in a statement.
ABC News contributor John Cohen, the former head of intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security, said authorities are increasingly concerned about the spread of drone warfare.
“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,” Cohen said.
“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. Information like this is critically important for law enforcement,” he added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine now has “cards” after the US asked Kyiv to help protect American military bases in the Middle East from Iranian drones.
Speaking in an interview with Irish blogger Caolan Robertson released on March 11, Zelensky suggested Ukraine’s wartime experience had given it new leverage.
Zelensky said the US request reflects the expertise Ukraine has developed during the war, particularly in countering Iranian-designed drones widely used by Russia against Ukrainian cities.
“It’s a good feeling. This is thanks to our soldiers, our talented people, and the many industries that we have developed since the start of the war,” he said.
He also suggested Middle Eastern countries could exchange air defense missiles for Ukraine’s drone-interception technology as Kyiv faces shortages of advanced Western air defense ammunition.
Julia Struck is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.
