California Officials Reassure Public Despite FBI Iran Drone Warnings

Introduction

California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the public on Wednesday regarding recent security alerts, confirming that there is no "imminent threat" to the state. This statement follows reports that federal authorities had alerted state officials of unverified claims suggesting Iranian-affiliated actors desired to conduct potential drone attacks. Despite the seriousness of the intelligence received, local leadership maintains a stance of preparedness without panic. Newsom posted on social media that he is in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials over potential threats to California, including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East.

The FBI Memo Details

A specific memo sent by the FBI to local law enforcement and officials in California contained unvetted and unverified information intended solely for their awareness. According to several officials who had reviewed the document, the text noted 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 potential targets were unspecified but located within California, specifically in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran. Federal investigators often share information of questioned credibility with local law enforcement partners out of an abundance of caution rather than confirmed danger.

Presidential and Agency Responses

President Donald Trump addressed the situation later on Wednesday, telling reporters that the government is investigating the unverified claim. When pressed on if he has been briefed on the potential number of Iranian sleeper cells located within the United States, the president confirmed he had received those briefings. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin to US law enforcement agencies warning of a heightened threat environment following the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Citing open source intelligence, the DHS note indicated that two top Iranian religious leaders issued separate Farsi-language fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing. The bulletin also referenced a decree from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps indicating the enemy will no longer have security anywhere in the world.

Intelligence Sharing and Preparedness

One law enforcement source noted that federal and state security officials have deemed the information to be "aspirational" in nature and do not currently believe there is an imminent threat. The US intelligence community routinely collects intelligence on adversaries signaling their desire to cause harm, but mere claims do not mean adversaries are capable of carrying out an attack. These types of reports are shared with local law enforcement daily. Newsom posted on social media that he is in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials over potential threats to California, including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East. While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.