Additional Coverage:
- Newsom says no imminent threat to California depsite warning about possible Iran drone attack (pbs.org)
California Officials Dismiss Imminent Drone Threat Despite FBI Alert
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Governor Gavin Newsom has assured residents there is no immediate threat to the state, even as an FBI warning circulated about the potential for Iran to deploy drones to the West Coast in a retaliatory strike.
Governor Newsom addressed the concerns on Wednesday, stating that drone-related issues have “always been top of mind” for state officials. “We’ve been aware of that information,” he said, emphasizing a “posture of preparedness for worst-case scenarios.”
The FBI recently issued an alert to police departments, referencing “unverified information” regarding Iran’s alleged aspirations to conduct a surprise attack. The alert suggested the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast, targeting unspecified locations in California, should the U.S. initiate strikes against Iran. However, the alert explicitly stated, “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
The FBI’s alert gained public attention after being posted on X by an FBI spokesperson following an ABC News report. Concurrently, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also posted on X, clarifying that the message to law enforcement was based on “unverified intelligence.” Leavitt firmly stated on Thursday, “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”
When questioned about the matter on Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews, President Donald Trump commented, “It’s being investigated, but you have a lot of things happening. All we can do is take ’em as they come.”
Police departments in Los Angeles and San Francisco have confirmed they are actively monitoring global events for any potential risks to their respective cities and are collaborating closely with state and federal authorities.