The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned law enforcement agencies in California that Iran is considering launching a drone attack on the United States (US) West Coast in response to American military action, according to an alert reviewed by ABC News.

 

The bulletin, circulated to police departments toward the end of February, said that the information suggested Iran had explored the possibility of carrying out a strike using unmanned aerial vehicles from a vessel positioned off the United States coastline.

 

 “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the notice said.

 

The warning came as the administration of US President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Iran. Tehran has since responded with drone attacks targeting sites across the Middle East.

 

According to a senior law enforcement official cited by ABC News, the intelligence about the possible West Coast attack was obtained before the United States and Israel began bombing Iran. The official said the 12-day bombardment is believed to have reduced Iran’s ability to carry out such an operation.

 

US intelligence agencies have also been monitoring the growing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels and the risk that the technology could be used against American forces or law enforcement personnel near the US-Mexico border.

 

A separate bulletin from September 2025 reviewed by ABC News said: “An uncorroborated report suggested that unidentified Mexican cartel leaders had authorized attacks using UAS (drones) carrying explosives against US law enforcement and US military personnel along the US-Mexico border.”

 

The notice added: “This type of attack against US personnel or interests inside the United States would be unprecedented but exemplifies a plausible scenario, although (cartels) typically avoid actions that would result in unwanted attention or responses from US authorities.”

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the state was coordinating with security agencies in response to the threat environment.

 

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said it had increased preparedness in light of developments abroad

 

“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.

 

ABC News contributor John Cohen, former head of intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security, said authorities should remain alert to the possibility of drone threats approaching the United States from both the Pacific Ocean and Mexico.

 

“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,” Cohen said.
The FBI alert has also sparked diverse reactions online, with some questioning its credibility. One user commented: “Another False Flag from Zionist master of US Government.” 

 

Another said: “This is such bullshit. If there is an attack it will be a false flag. Ironically, this comes JUST as US firms finished replicating Iranian drones. What a coincidence. Our Gov is a criminal enterprise taking orders from Israel.”

 

Some social media users suggested intelligence might be misrepresented or used politically. One post read: “In other words, the FBI is going to launch offensive drones against the west coast and tell us it’s Iran.” 

 

Another questioned the source: “You mean Mossad? We won’t believe this is Iran, we are voting out all AIPAC politicians, this has to end!” Others expressed frustration over repeated warnings of false flags. “False flags, an old trick the Zionists keep going back to under pressure,” wrote one user, while another added, “In the entire human history of false flags this flag is the falsest.”

 

The FBI alert did not outline how vessels carrying drones could approach close enough to the US mainland to launch an attack, though intelligence officials have previously raised concerns about equipment being positioned in advance on ships at sea or on land in case the United States or Israel targeted Iran.