FBI warns of potential Iranian drone attack on California
The FBI alerted California law enforcement to intelligence suggesting Iran may launch a surprise drone strike from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast.
March 11, 2026 at 07:05 PM
The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a security alert to California police departments regarding intelligence indicating that Iran may be planning drone attacks against the state, according to documents reviewed by multiple news outlets.
The FBI alert, distributed in late February, stated that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast, specifically targeting unspecified locations in California. The warning was issued following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iranian installations that triggered an escalation in the Middle East.
According to the intelligence bulletin, Iranian operatives showed specific interest in critical infrastructure, ports, and densely populated areas along the West Coast. The use of unmanned aircraft systems allows for attacks with a level of deniability and difficulty in attribution, authorities said.
The FBI document noted that U.S. intelligence detected logistical movements, surveillance activities, and information-gathering efforts suggesting that planning was in an advanced phase. However, authorities emphasized that no concrete information exists regarding the timing, exact method, specific targets, or responsible parties for any potential attack.
The alert represents the first publicly known Iranian plan to attack the United States since President Donald Trump launched military operations against Iran on February 28. The warning was issued to law enforcement across California as a precautionary measure.
The FBI also expressed concern about the growing use of drones by Mexican cartels operating in the southern United States, according to the alert.
California has the highest concentration of Iranian dissidents in the United States, with estimates reaching up to 500,000 residents, though authorities did not specify whether this was a factor in the targeting assessment.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office was notified of the threat as part of the security alert distribution to state and local authorities.