FBI Warns Of Iranian Drone 'Surprise Attack' Targeting CA: Report

The FBI warned law enforcement agencies across California that Iran aspired to carry out a surprise drone attack against targets in the state in response to U.S. military strikes, according to a bulletin obtained by ABC News.

The alert was distributed at the end of February, according to the news agency. The bulletin noted that officials lacked further information on when, where or how an attack might occur, or who might be responsible.

"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 U.S. conducted strikes against Iran," the alert said. "We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said the state is actively monitoring reports of potential threats tied to the Middle East conflict.

Newsom directed the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to "elevate its security posture" since the start of the conflict in the Middle East to share around-the-clock updates and intelligence to keep Californians safe, according to the governor's office.

"The Cal OES Homeland Security team is in regular coordination with federal, state, and local partners, sharing information on potential threats as part of security efforts," a Cal OES spokesperson told Patch.

"While we can't discuss sensitive details, Californians should know that this kind of coordination happens every day to keep people safe," the spokesperson said. "California is prepared to protect its communities, and we'll continue working closely with our federal partners, including the FBI, who is best positioned to speak to any specific intelligence."

Iran's response to the surprise Israeli and U.S. bombardment that started 12 days ago has upended trade routes, choked supplies of fuel and fertilizer coming out of the Gulf and threatened air traffic through one of the world's most-traveled regions. Both sides have dug in, hoping to outlast the other.

Iran has extensively used drone attacks to target U.S. bases or allies in the Persian Gulf, killing six U.S. service members in Kuwait with a strike on the U.S. Army Reserve command center in Port Shuaiba. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento died in the March 1 attack.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.