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The FBI has warned California police that Iran could retaliate for US strikes by launching drone attacks from offshore vessels targeting the West Coast, though officials say details remain unclear.
Iran has launched number of drone and missile attacks at Israel. (Photo: ITG)
UPDATED: Mar 12, 2026 02:48 IST
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned police departments in California that Iran could retaliate for US strikes by launching drone attacks targeting the American West Coast, according to an alert reviewed by ABC News.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned police departments in California that Iran could retaliate for US attacks by launching drones at the West Coast,” ABC News reported Wednesday, citing the FBI alert.
The warning comes amid rising tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed senior Iranian officials and triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran.
FBI ALERT WARNS OF POSSIBLE DRONE STRIKE
According to the alert, US authorities obtained intelligence suggesting Iran had considered launching drones from a vessel off the American coastline.
“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 States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California,” ABC News reported citing the FBI notice.
The alert also cautioned that investigators currently lack specific operational details. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the bulletin said.
The warning was circulated to multiple law enforcement agencies across California, though it did not specify which cities or sites could be targeted.
TRUMP DISMISSES FEARS OF RETALIATION
Despite the concerns raised in the alert, President Donald Trump said he was not worried about the possibility of Iranian-backed attacks reaching US soil.
When asked by reporters whether he feared retaliation inside the United States, Trump replied, “No, I'm not.”
The remarks came as US officials continue to monitor potential threats following the escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel.
CALIFORNIA INCREASES SECURITY POSTURE
California officials said the state regularly receives security bulletins from federal agencies and has heightened monitoring since the regional conflict intensified.
“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is actively working with state, local and federal security officials,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Ends
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Mar 12, 2026 02:48 IST
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