Security arrangements around the upcoming Academy Awards have been placed on alert after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned law enforcement about the possibility of a “surprise attack” linked to Iran.

 

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday evening in Los Angeles and is expected to draw major figures from the film industry. Actors including Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman are expected to attend the event.

 

According to an alert cited by ABC News, the FBI informed law enforcement agencies across California in recent days that Iran could attempt retaliation for US military action by launching drones toward the West Coast.

 

Authorities have not reported any confirmed threat linked directly to the ceremony, but officials say precautionary measures are in place ahead of the event.

 

Oscars telecast producer Raj Kapoor said that the production team is coordinating with security agencies to ensure the ceremony proceeds as scheduled.

 

“We want everybody to feel safe and protected and welcome, so it’s our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates,” Kapoor told journalists.

 

He said that organisers are working with federal and local law enforcement agencies to coordinate security arrangements for the event.

 

“This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody that is coming to this show, that is witnessing the show, that is even a fan of the show when they’re standing outside the barricades.”

 

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that it had raised its level of vigilance amid developments linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

 

“In light of current global events, the Department remains at an elevated level of readiness and is maintaining increased vigilance as we continue to protect our residents of Los Angeles County,” the department said.

 

According to sources cited by Variety, security around the red carpet has been increased, though the measures are not visibly prominent.

 

The alert comes amid rising tensions following a joint illegal strike by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran on February 28. The attack led to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which Iran launched strikes on American bases in the Middle East and military targets in Israel. Airspace across several Gulf states was later closed following the escalation.