FBI Memo Warns of Potential Iranian Drone Attack on California, Officials Stress No Immediate Threat

An internal FBI memo cautioning that Iran may attempt a seaborne drone strike against California targets has drawn significant attention, though multiple law enforcement and intelligence officials are emphasizing the warning lacks specificity and does not point to an imminent danger. The memo, distributed by the FBI's Los Angeles field office approximately one week ago, describes unverified intelligence suggesting that Iran had allegedly considered launching unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coastline, targeting unspecified locations in California. The information reportedly surfaced before the recent escalation of military hostilities involving Iran and was explicitly described in the memo as containing no details regarding timing, method, intended targets, or perpetrators. California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged the memo while downplaying its urgency, stating the state is not aware of any imminent threats but remains prepared. The Los Angeles Police Department echoed that position, confirming no known or specific threats to the city while noting continued monitoring of global developments. Several federal law enforcement officials characterized the memo as unactionable, with one official stressing that no further indications of such a plot have emerged since the initial tip was received. A law enforcement source noted that the FBI routinely shares gathered intelligence with local agencies as part of standard information-sharing protocols, regardless of whether the information has been verified. A former Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism official noted that Iran maintains an extensive drone arsenal with demonstrated capabilities across the Middle East, including the widely recognized Shahed-136 loitering munitions. However, she clarified that the FBI memo did not represent a warning about an imminent attack. A former FBI special agent explained that the bureau operates under a directive to broadly communicate potential threat information to partner agencies, even when intelligence remains unconfirmed, to ensure preparedness across law enforcement.