California’s Newsom says no imminent threat despite warning of Iran drone attack - SCMP
TL;DR
California Governor Gavin Newsom says there is no imminent threat from Iran despite an FBI alert about potential drone attacks. Officials emphasize the intelligence is unverified and precautionary, with local and federal agencies coordinating on drone-related risks.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has stated there is no "imminent threat" to the state following an FBI alert about unverified claims that Iran may have considered using drones to target unspecified locations in California in response to potential U.S. military strikes against Iran according to a CNN report. The FBI memo, shared with local law enforcement in late February 2026, described "aspirational" intentions by Iranian-affiliated actors but provided no specific details on timing, methods, or perpetrators as detailed in a Time article. Federal and state officials emphasized that such intelligence is often shared as a precautionary measure, even when credibility or feasibility remains unconfirmed according to the Los Angeles Times.
Newsom reiterated coordination with federal security and intelligence agencies, noting California's proactive measures to address drone-related risks, including specialized workgroups and heightened vigilance as reported by Time. Local leaders, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, echoed the assessment of no immediate danger while affirming collaboration with federal partners to monitor threats according to a Time report. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported an elevated readiness level, with increased patrols near cultural and religious sites as a precaution as detailed in a Time article.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military has warned civilians to avoid Iranian port facilities, citing their use for military operations, while Iran has threatened retaliatory strikes if targeted according to a South China Morning Post report. Experts remain divided on the practicality of an Iranian drone attack on California, with some noting the logistical challenges and U.S. defensive capabilities as reported by Time. As the Middle East conflict escalates, officials stress that unverified intelligence does not necessarily translate to actionable threats according to CNN.
