FBI sends warning to police in California that Iran could launch 'surprise attack' with drones

The FBI has issued warnings to police departments in California that Iran could attack the US West Coast using drones.

According to reports, an alert circulated claimed that Iran could launch a ‘surprise attack’ off the coast of the USA targeting California specifically.

Could Iran launch drone strikes on the US mainland?

In recent times, Iran has been struck by US armed forces, with precision strikes and other attacks launched in the country.

One such attack killed the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Now, the FBI has warned that there could be retaliatory strikes in the USA, with California reportedly most at risk - among others - from drone strikes.

The warning was sent out in February and was allegedly meant to warn that this threat could become active if the USA were to launch an assault on the Middle Eastern country.

Since then, the US and Israel have made that threat a reality after the targeted air strikes.

The alert read: “We recently acquired information 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 State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran,

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

Days later, after Donald Trump’s strikes, Iran responded with drone strikes in Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries.

It isn’t just Iran that the government is worried about

In recent times, US officials have also been concerned that Mexican drug cartels could launch their own attacks on US targets near to the border.

The cartels have reportedly been increasing the use of drones and now there is a credible threat that they could be used to attack US forces.

In September 2025, a bulletin read: “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,

“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 is quoted as having said: “The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is actively working with state, local and federal security officials to protect our communities.”