As the United States and Israel continue “Operation Epic Fury” against the Iranian regime, the FBI has issued a stark warning to law enforcement agencies in California regarding a potential retaliatory Iran drone attack targeting the West Coast. The alert, distributed in late February 2026, highlights the growing domestic security concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The FBI Warning: What We Know about Iran drone
According to an internal FBI bulletin reviewed by ABC News, intelligence suggests that as of early February, 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.” The warning noted that authorities have no additional information regarding the timing, method, specific targets, or perpetrators of the alleged attack.
The bulletin was distributed to California law enforcement agencies at the end of February, just as the Trump administration was preparing to launch its military campaign against Iran. A spokeswoman for the FBI’s Los Angeles office declined to comment on the alert, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Operation Epic Fury and the Broader Conflict
The timing of the FBI alert coincides with the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military campaign that began with devastating strikes on Tehran. The initial assault resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had held the position for 36 years. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in the strike that killed his father and six other family members, has since been named the new supreme leader.
In response to the U.S.-led campaign, Iran has launched significant retaliatory strikes across the region. According to an Associated Press tally, Iran has fired at least 380 missiles and more than 1,480 drones at Gulf Arab nations since the conflict began. The war has already claimed American lives, with six U.S. soldiers killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port. The conflict has cost an estimated $11.3 billion in its first six days alone, according to figures shared with U.S. senators.
California’s Response: Elevated Readiness
Despite the lack of specific, imminent threats, California officials are taking the warning seriously. Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed during a virtual news conference that his office is aware of the threats, and the state’s Office of Emergency Services is “actively working with state, local and federal security officials to protect our communities.”
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announced it is maintaining an “elevated level of readiness” and has increased patrols around places of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent locations throughout the county. Bay Area police departments have also confirmed they are in contact with federal authorities regarding the threat assessment.
The Iran Drone Threat: A New Dimension of Warfare
The potential for an Iran drone attack launched from a vessel off the California coast underscores the evolving nature of asymmetric warfare. John Cohen, former head of intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security, emphasized the reality of the threat during an interview with ABC News.
“We know Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America, they have relationships, they have the drones and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks. The FBI is smart for putting this warning out so that state and locals can be better able to prepare and respond to these types of threats.”
Intelligence officials have long been concerned about equipment being pre-positioned on land or on ships at sea in the event Israel or the U.S. struck Iran. The FBI’s warning did not specify how or when vessels carrying attack drones could get close enough to the U.S. mainland.
Pentagon officials have acknowledged in closed-door briefings with lawmakers that U.S. forces are struggling to intercept Iran’s waves of low-cost drones, particularly the Shahed models that have become a hallmark of Iranian asymmetric warfare. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told lawmakers the U.S. will not be able to stop many of the incoming unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. has even sought anti-drone expertise from Ukraine, which has extensive experience countering Iran’s Shahed drones on the battlefield.
The Wider Threat Landscape
The threat environment extends well beyond drones. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a separate bulletin warning of a “heightened threat environment” following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. Two senior Iranian religious leaders have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to seek revenge for the supreme leader’s death, raising concerns about potential lone-wolf attacks or sleeper cell activations within the United States.
The FBI and National Security Agency have also warned U.S. defense contractors about potential cyber operations by Iranian-affiliated actors, particularly targeting companies tied to Israeli defense and research firms.
Security experts warn that the dangers could intensify in the coming months. Bruce Hoffman of the Council on Foreign Relations flagged the summer months as a particularly high-risk period, noting that upcoming high-profile events, including World Cup soccer matches and celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, could present Iran with opportunities to “simultaneously exact revenge and embarrass the United States.”
What Comes Next
While White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the administration’s military strategy, stating that “Iran’s retaliatory ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% because Operation Epic Fury is crushing their ability to shoot these weapons or produce more,” the domestic security picture remains complex. The combination of drone threats from the Pacific, potential attacks from Iran’s network in Mexico and South America, cyber warfare, and the possibility of inspired lone-wolf attacks creates a multi-layered security challenge that will test American defenses in the weeks and months ahead.
As the conflict enters its second week with the U.S. military having struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran, the question is no longer whether Iran will attempt to retaliate on American soil, but when and how. For the 39 million residents of California, the FBI’s warning serves as a sobering reminder that the consequences of war in the Middle East can reach far closer to home than many might expect.
This is a developing story. DailyNewsEdit will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
