The FBI has issued a warning to law enforcement across the country that Iran or its proxies may attempt a retaliatory terror attack on American soil, with California identified as a potential target. The warning comes as U.S.-Iran tensions have reached a boiling point following military strikes in the region. Federal authorities say Iran could attempt to strike back using drones, a tactic Iranian-backed groups have deployed repeatedly in overseas conflicts.
The alert, obtained by The New York Post, reads: “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 States 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,” the alert adds.
Security agencies nationwide have stepped up monitoring for suspicious drone activity in response to the threat, according to officials familiar with the alert. The warning is described as precautionary, but authorities are urging state and local law enforcement to remain on high alert.
California’s status as a target reflects both its size and its symbolic value. The state is home to major military installations, critical infrastructure, and the largest population of Iranian dissidents, with up to 500,000.
The alert follows recent U.S. military operations against Iranian assets, including strikes on Iranian mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM on Wednesday warned Iranian civilians to stay away from ports and vessels along the strait, signaling that operations in the region are ongoing.
