LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities have alerted law enforcement agencies across California to a possible Iranian retaliation involving drone attacks on the West Coast, according to a bulletin reviewed by multiple news outlets, though officials emphasized there is no confirmed imminent threat or specific details about timing, targets or methods.

LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES

The FBI distributed the alert to California police departments in late February 2026, warning that Iran had allegedly considered launching a "surprise attack" using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast, specifically targeting unspecified locations in California if the United States carried out strikes against Iran.

"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 State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran," the bulletin stated, according to reports from ABC News and other sources. "We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack."

The warning surfaced publicly on March 11, 2026, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Reports indicate recent American strikes under the Trump administration targeted Iranian assets, prompting retaliatory drone strikes by Iran against U.S. interests and allies in the region. President Donald Trump commented on the reports, stating he was "not worried" about Iran-backed attacks on U.S. soil.

An FBI spokesperson in Los Angeles declined to comment on the bulletin when reached by media outlets. Officials stressed that the intelligence remains uncorroborated and that no credible, specific threat has been identified. The alert appears intended to heighten vigilance among local law enforcement rather than signal an immediate danger.

The bulletin fits into a broader context of heightened U.S. counterterrorism concerns related to the Iran conflict. A Department of Homeland Security threat assessment noted that Iran and its proxies "probably" pose a risk of targeted actions against U.S. interests. Additional worries include the potential activation of foreign terrorist cells or "lone wolf" actors inspired by Iranian rhetoric, particularly in areas with large Iranian-American populations like Los Angeles County, home to around 700,000 people of Iranian descent — the largest outside Iran.

The Los Angeles Police Department and other agencies have increased monitoring for such risks, including cryptic broadcasts that could serve as operational triggers for sleeper assets. However, investigators have found no concrete evidence linking these to active plots.

Experts point out logistical challenges for any seaborne drone attack on the U.S. mainland. Iran's known drone capabilities, while advanced and used extensively in regional conflicts, would face significant hurdles in crossing the Pacific Ocean undetected or launching effectively from international waters off California. U.S. naval and air defenses, including radar systems and fighter intercepts, are designed to counter such threats far from shore.

The alert also coincides with separate concerns about drone threats from non-state actors, including potential use by Mexican drug cartels along the southern border. Officials have long monitored vessels that could preposition equipment for asymmetric attacks, a tactic Iran has employed through proxies in the Middle East.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the warning on March 11, stating that state officials are aware of the intelligence and are coordinating with federal partners to ensure preparedness. Local law enforcement in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego have been advised to remain vigilant, though no changes to public alert levels were announced.

The development underscores the evolving nature of threats to the U.S. homeland in an era of drone proliferation. Iran has invested heavily in UAV technology, exporting drones to allies and using them in strikes that have depleted air defense resources in conflict zones. While direct attacks on the continental U.S. remain unlikely due to distance and detection risks, the bulletin highlights fears of retaliatory actions extending beyond the Middle East.

Public reaction has been mixed, with some social media users expressing skepticism about the feasibility of such an operation, while others called for increased coastal surveillance. The story trended briefly on platforms following ABC News' initial reporting, with outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Reuters and local California stations providing coverage.

As of March 12, 2026, no new developments or confirmed threats have emerged from the bulletin. Federal agencies continue to monitor the situation closely as the Iran conflict evolves. Officials urged the public to report suspicious activity but reiterated that everyday life should proceed normally absent specific warnings.

This incident reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to counter Iranian influence operations, including past plots involving espionage, cyberattacks and procurement of sensitive technology for military drones. The FBI maintains that disrupting such threats remains a top priority.

In the absence of corroborated intelligence pointing to an active plot, the warning serves primarily as a precautionary measure to ensure law enforcement readiness amid geopolitical volatility.