SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The FBI recently alerted California law enforcement agencies about a potential Iranian drone attack launched from a vessel off the U.S. coast as retaliation for American military strikes, according to a security bulletin distributed to police.
The alert, issued near the end of February, warned that Iran could attempt to launch drones from an unidentified offshore vessel targeting locations in California. Officials did not disclose any confirmed targets or timing for a possible attack.
Security analysts say the warning reflects growing concerns about the use of unmanned aerial systems in unconventional ways. Former acting Homeland Security official John Cohen noted that Iran has increasingly relied on drone capabilities in regional conflicts, raising fears the technology could be adapted for attacks closer to U.S. territory.
U.S. intelligence officials have also been monitoring the expanding use of drones by criminal organizations. A September 2025 federal bulletin warned that Mexican drug cartel leaders had authorized the potential use of explosive drones in attacks.
The FBI declined to comment publicly on the alert, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Officials say the warning is intended to ensure law enforcement agencies are prepared to respond to emerging security threats.
Analysts note that maritime-launched drones represent a potential new threat vector for homeland security if hostile actors attempt to operate close to U.S. coastal regions.
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