The FBI has warned police departments in California about possible surprise drone attacks from Iran, ABC News reported. The alert was sent at the end of February when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
The alert stated that they had no information about the possible target, timing, or anything else. “We recently obtained information that, as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspires to launch a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the United States launches strikes against Iran,” the warning read.
“We have no additional information about the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”The FBI and the White House did not comment on the alert. ABC News contributor John Cohen, a former head of intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security, did not rule out a drone attack by Iran from Mexico. “We know that Iran has a large-scale presence in Mexico and South America, it has relationships, it has drones, and now it has the incentive to launch attacks,” Cohen said.
“The FBI is smart to issue this warning so the state and local residents can better prepare for and respond to these types of threats.
“Information like this is extremely important to law enforcement.”
California law enforcement says the alert is a warning
The Los Angeles Times reported that local authorities viewed the warning as a warning and did not indicate any imminent attack. A source familiar with the memo but not authorized to discuss it publicly told the Los Angeles Times that the warning was issued based on intelligence received by the US Coast Guard; It was not considered credible at this time. They said the warning was cautionary in nature and there was no indication that Iran was planning an attack or whether it was capable of successfully launching an attack, adding that they did not downplay it and that the warning played a role in security strategies.
