FBI warns of possible Iranian drone attack in California: what we know Merca2.0
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According to information from ABC News, the FBI recently notified California police departments that Iran could attempt to launch drones from the Pacific Ocean against targets on U.S. territory. Although the notice has raised concern, officials emphasize that there is no concrete evidence of an imminent attack. The warning is part of a security protocol amid the context of the war between the United States and Iran.
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What does the FBI alert say about a possible Iranian drone attack in California?
According to the report reviewed by ABC News, the FBI distributed a security bulletin at the end of February aimed at law enforcement agencies in California.
The document mentions the possibility that Iran could consider a surprise attack using drones launched from a vessel in the ocean near the United States.
The bulletin warns the following: “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 same document adds that the available information is limited: “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
In other words, the warning does not identify specific targets or confirm that an attack is underway, but rather describes a potential retaliation scenario.
The alert comes amid the military conflict that began in late February between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The war started when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, in an operation Washington named Epic Fury, as part of its strategy to weaken the Iranian regime and curb its nuclear program.
Since then, Iran has responded with drone strikes against U.S. and allied targets in the Middle East.
How many U.S. service members have died in the war with Iran?
The conflict has already resulted in casualties among U.S. forces. Reports indicate that at least seven U.S. service members have died in attacks related to the escalation in the region.
Is it possible to attack the United States with drones from the Pacific Ocean?
The FBI report mentions a scenario in which drones could be launched from an unidentified vessel near the U.S. coastline.
However, the information does not explain how or when a vessel could get close enough to carry out such an attack, nor what type of drones could be used.
According to reports cited by The Los Angeles Times, U.S. authorities have long been concerned about the possibility that equipment or weapons could be pre-positioned on ships or even inside U.S. territory in preparation for attacks in the event of a conflict with Iran or its allies.
The FBI warning is reportedly based on information provided by the United States Coast Guard, according to the same outlet.
Is there really a threat against California right now?
Security officials have emphasized that the alert does not mean there is a concrete or immediate threat.
An official cited by The Los Angeles Times explained that the report should be interpreted as a precautionary warning.
On February 28, the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) said it was closely monitoring the international situation, but clarified that there was no specific or credible threat to the state at that time.
What did Governor Gavin Newsom say about the FBI alert?
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that his administration is aware of the information and is working with federal agencies to monitor any potential risk.
During a press conference, Newsom explained that state authorities receive daily security bulletins from the federal government.
The governor said: “As it relates to broader concerns, as it relates to drone strikes, we’ve been aware of that information. We’ve been working collaboratively through the SOC (State Operations Center), which we established right after the war began in the State Operations Center, working with the Office of Emergency Services but also working locally to make sure we transmit any information that we have received… We’re aware of that information and we transfer that information in real time to our local partners. Drone issues have been always top of mind. We’ve assembled some work groups specifically around those concerns.”
The state administration also confirmed that it has raised its security posture since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East.
What are police departments in California saying?
Local media outlets also contacted several law enforcement agencies in California to ask whether they had received the warning.
The responses reflect uncertainty and a lack of concrete information.
- ⇒ Sacramento Police Department: said it does not have additional information about the report.
- ⇒ Stockton Police Department: indicated it had not heard anything about the warning.
- ⇒ Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office: said it had not been alerted about the bulletin.
This suggests that the warning may have been distributed primarily through federal and state channels, without necessarily reaching all local agencies.
Has Iran attacked U.S. territory before?
So far, Iran has not successfully launched direct attacks against any U.S. state since the war began last month.
Iranian military operations have mainly targeted U.S. and allied assets in the Middle East, including military bases and strategic facilities.
Security analysts believe that drones have become one of the key tools of modern warfare due to their relatively low cost and ability to operate remotely.
For that reason, agencies such as the FBI often issue preventive alerts even when available information is limited.
With information from ABC News
