Law enforcement agencies across California have reportedly been warned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the possibility of drone attacks linked to Iran following escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to an internal FBI alert viewed by ABC News, intelligence obtained earlier this year suggested that Iran had considered launching a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles if the United States carried out military strikes against the country.
The warning reportedly stated that as of early February 2026, Iran was believed to be exploring a scenario in which drones could be launched from an unidentified vessel positioned off the U.S. coastline. The potential targets were described only as unspecified locations within California.
Federal authorities said the information came from intelligence sources but emphasized that details about timing, targets, or the exact method of attack remain unclear.
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin said he contacted the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom about the alert. According to Melugin, state officials said the bulletin was part of routine security updates provided by federal agencies.
Newsom’s office indicated that California has raised its security posture since the start of the conflict involving Iran and that such alerts are regularly shared with local police departments.
A spokesperson for the governor also stated that the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is actively coordinating with federal, state, and local security agencies to monitor potential threats and protect communities.
At the same time, U.S. intelligence officials are reportedly becoming increasingly concerned about the growing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels. Authorities have warned that cartels could potentially adapt the technology for attacks against U.S. law enforcement or military personnel near the southern border.
A previous security bulletin from September 2025 referenced unconfirmed intelligence suggesting that cartel leaders had authorized possible drone attacks using explosives against U.S. personnel operating near the U.S.–Mexico border.
Officials noted that such an attack inside the United States would be unprecedented, though analysts consider it a plausible scenario as drone technology becomes more widely available.
While authorities stress that the information remains unconfirmed and no specific threats have been identified, federal and state agencies continue monitoring the situation closely as security concerns surrounding drones grow.
