FBI warns of potential Iranian drone attack on California

The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States has warned police departments across California in recent days that Iran may retaliate against US military action by launching drone strikes on the West Coast, according to ABC News on Wednesday (11 March), citing an alert reviewed by the news outlet.

“We recently obtained information that as of early February 2026, Iran is allegedly planning to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unknown vessel off the US coast, specifically targeting unspecified targets in California, should the US launch an attack against Iran,” the report stated, quoting the alert distributed in late February.

However, the warning also noted that authorities “do not possess additional information regarding the timing, method, targets, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

The FBI warning did not explain how or when the vessel carrying the combat drones would be positioned close enough to US territory.

The alert was issued shortly after the Trump administration launched military strikes against Iran, the report added.

The combined US-Israel military offensive against Iran, which began on 28 February, has triggered sharp escalation across the Middle East, triggering reciprocal missile attacks, mounting casualties, and widening political and security repercussions.