The FBI recently alerted California law enforcement agencies that Iran might retaliate against US military action by launching drones at the West Coast, according to an intelligence bulletin reviewed by ABC News.
Distributed in late February, the alert detailed intelligence indicating that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly planned to launch surprise unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks from an unidentified vessel off the US coast. The potential strikes were aimed at unspecified targets in California in the event of US military action against Iran. The bureau noted a lack of further information regarding the timing, specific targets, or perpetrators of the alleged plot.
This warning surfaced concurrently with the Trump administration's ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic. In response, Iran has conducted retaliatory drone strikes against various targets across the Middle East.
Representatives for the FBI's Los Angeles field office declined to comment on the matter, and the White House has not yet responded to inquiries.
Alongside the Iranian threat, US intelligence officials have expressed growing alarm over the expanding use of drones by Mexican drug cartels. Authorities fear this technology could be deployed against American forces and personnel stationed near the southern border.
A separate bulletin from September 2025, also reviewed by ABC News, cited an uncorroborated report suggesting that Mexican cartel leaders had authorized explosive-laden drone attacks against US law enforcement and military personnel. While such an attack within the US would be unprecedented, the bulletin described it as a plausible scenario, despite cartels typically avoiding actions that draw intense scrutiny from American authorities.
John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former intelligence chief for the Department of Homeland Security, emphasized the dual threat originating from both the Pacific and the southern border. Furthermore, the alert suggested that Iran may be activating sleeper cells abroad.
"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 stated. He praised the FBI for issuing the warning, noting that such intelligence is crucial for state and local law enforcement to effectively prepare for and respond to emerging threats.
Although the FBI bulletin did not detail how vessels carrying attack drones could approach the US mainland undetected, intelligence officials have long monitored the possibility of equipment being pre-positioned on land or at sea in anticipation of a broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.