FBI warns California of possible surprise drone attack from Iran: Targets unspecified

The FBI warned the police departments in California of possible surprise drone attacks from Iran, ABC News reported. The alert was sent at the end of February as the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The alert said they had no information on what the target could possibly be, or the timing or anything else. “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 alert said. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

FBI and the White House did not comment on the alert.

ABC News contributor John Cohen, the former head of intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security did not rule out a drone attack by Iran from Mexico. “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."

California law enforcement says alert is cautionary

Los Angeles Times reported that the local authorities deemed the alert as cautionary and not suggestive of any impending attack. A source with knowledge of the memo but not authorized to discuss it publicly told LA Times that the warning was issued based on intelligence received by the US Coast Guard; and was not deemed credible at this time. the warning was cautionary in nature and there was no indication Iran was planning an attack or if it could successfully launch one, they said adding that they did not downplay it and the warning played into security strategies.