The FBI warned police departments across California in recent days that Iran could retaliate to American strikes by launching drones at the U.S. West Coast, according to a memo reported by multiple news outlets.
“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 memo stated. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
The confidential memo, issued by the FBI through the multi-agency Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center, surfaced publicly on Wednesday as the war between the U.S. and Iran entered its 12th day.
A source with knowledge of the memo told the Los Angeles Times the warning was based on intelligence received by the U.S. Coast Guard, but emphasized that the information has not been verified. “It’s not been deemed credible at this time,” said the source.
In a post on X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was “in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials” to monitor “potential threats to California, including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East.”
I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at @Cal_OES, to monitor potential threats to California — including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East.
While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 11, 2026
“While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state,” he added.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it has increased patrols in response to global tensions.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and in recognition of current religious observances, the Department has continued increased patrols around places of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent locations throughout the County,” the department said in a statement.
Asked on Wednesday whether he was concerned Iran might escalate retaliation to include strikes on U.S. soil, Trump told reporters, “No, I’m not.”
The security alert in California comes after a federal alert seen by ABC News said Iran may have sent an “operational trigger” to activate sleeper cells amid the ongoing conflict with the U.S. The warning comes after U.S. forces intercepted encrypted communications, believed to originate from Iran.
The alert said the messages appeared directed at “clandestine recipients” and could “be intended to activate or provide instructions to prepositioned sleeper assets operating outside the originating country.”
While authorities said there are no specific credible threats to the public at this time, counterintelligence experts have warned that the ongoing war in Iran raises the potential for retaliatory attacks on U.S. soil.
“If ever there’s going to be a Hezbollah cell or a Hamas cell act in the United States in a violent way, it’s now,” Chris Swecker, a former assistant FBI director, told Fox News after the conflict began.
FBI Director Kash Patel earlier said that U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence teams have been placed on high alert, with agents “working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats” within the country.
