FBI Warns of Potential Iranian Drone Threats to California.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or more commonly known as the FBI, has recently issued out a warning to police departments across California regarding the possibility that Iran could attempt to retaliate for recent United States military strikes by launching drones at targets in the West Coast.

According to a bulletin that was distributed in late February, U.S. authorities had obtained information indicating that as of early February 2026, Iran had been allegedly aspiring to launch unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel positioned off the U.S. coastline. These drones could potentially be used against unspecified locations in California if the U.S. continues to carry out military strikes against Iran. The alert emphasized that officials do not have additional information regarding the timing, method, targets, or individuals who would be responsible for such a potential attack.

The warning came amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Nearly two weeks earlier, the U.S. and Israel had launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, prompting retaliation from Tehran. Iranian responses have largely involved drone and missile attacks across the region, targeting infrastructure such as ships, airports, embassies, and military bases. The strikes follow operations that killed senior Iranian officials.

Despite the alert, Donald Trump has downplayed the likelihood of retaliation on U.S. soil. When asked by reporters whether he was concerned about the possibility of Iranian attack within the U.S., the president responded that he was not worried.

California officials, however, have taken precautionary measures. The office of Gavin Newsom confirmed that the state has increased its security since the conflict began. According to the governor's office, California receives regular security briefings from federal partners, and the drone alert was one of many intelligence updates distributed to state and local agencies.

The state's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities to monitor developments and maintain preparedness. Law enforcement agencies across the state have also reported maintaining heightened readiness and increased coordination with federal counterparts.

Security experts note that the threat described in the FBI bulletin reflects Iran's broader strategy of warfare. Rather than confronting the United States through conventional military means, Iran and its allied groups have relied on tactics such as drone strikes, proxy operations, and cyber activities to project power and retaliate.

A separate threat assessment from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within the United States Department of Homeland Security indicated that Iran and its proxy groups likely pose a risk of targeted attacks against U.S. interests. However, the assessment suggested that a large scale physical assault on American soil remains unlikely.

Drones have become a central component of Iran’s military strategy in recent years. Iranian made unmanned aerial systems have been used extensively in conflicts throughout the Middle East and beyond. Their relatively low cost, long range, and ability to evade some traditional defenses make them attractive tools for unconventional warfare.

While authorities emphasize that there is currently no specific intelligence indicating an imminent attack against California, the FBI alert underscores growing concerns among security officials about the evolving threat posed by drone technology and the potential adversaries to use it in unexpected ways.