FBI Warns Iran May Target U.S. West Coast With Drone Attack

The FBI has warned police departments in California that Iran may attempt to retaliate for American strikes by launching drones at targets along the U.S. West Coast, according to a federal alert circulated to local law enforcement and reviewed by ABC News.

The memo surfaced as the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran continued to escalate. Officials emphasized that the intelligence was unverified and that authorities are not aware of any imminent threat, but said the warning was distributed to ensure law enforcement agencies remain alert to potential retaliation.

“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,” the memo states. The alert added that the potential operation was aimed “specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.”

The memo further noted that investigators currently have limited information about the alleged plan. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the alert said.

Officials familiar with the intelligence said the warning was partly based on information flagged by the U.S. Coast Guard about the possibility that drones could be launched from a vessel positioned off the U.S. coast. The report was then shared with local police departments through federal intelligence networks that distribute security alerts to state and municipal authorities.

Federal officials stressed that the intelligence was described internally as “aspirational” rather than operational, meaning it reflected a possible Iranian desire to conduct such an attack rather than a confirmed or active plot.

President Donald Trump said the report was being examined by federal authorities when asked about the memo on Wednesday. “It’s being investigated,” Trump told reporters. “But you have a lot of things happening, and all we could do is take them as they come.”

California officials said they were closely monitoring the situation but stressed that no credible threat had been identified. Governor Gavin Newsom said state authorities have been coordinating with federal agencies since the conflict began. “While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state,” Newsom said.

Newsom added that potential drone threats have been a focus of state planning efforts in recent years. “Drone issues have always been top of mind,” he said.

Security experts say Iran has historically relied on asymmetric tactics such as drones, proxy forces, and cyberattacks, rather than direct military confrontation when targeting adversaries like the United States or Israel.

“We know that Iran's approach to combating the United States and Israel is through asymmetric warfare. They cannot take us on militarily,” said Elizabeth Neumann, a former Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism official.

U.S. homeland security officials have also warned of a broader risk environment tied to the conflict. In recent briefings, authorities have cautioned that Iranian retaliation could involve cyberattacks, proxy operations, or other indirect forms of retaliation rather than conventional military strikes. Despite those concerns, law enforcement officials stressed that warnings like the California memo are often shared with local agencies out of caution even when intelligence is incomplete. Authorities across California said they remain in contact with federal partners and will continue monitoring the situation as the conflict in the Middle East unfolds.