An FBI advisory referencing an unverified tip about a potential Iranian drone concept off the California coast circulated to multiple California law enforcement agencies â only to be forcefully downplayed by the White House hours later.
The advisory, distributed through federal security channels, referenced intelligence suggesting Iran had “aspired” to launch unmanned aerial systems from a vessel offshore. The email did not identify specific targets, dates or operational details.
The advisory was shared with and forwarded to local law enforcement agencies, according to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, including police departments in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley. Local officials emphasized there was no indication of a specific or imminent threat but confirmed they were coordinating with federal partners.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson posted the alert to X Thursday, which he said went to joint terrorism task force partners.Â
“We recently acquired unverified information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event of U.S. strikes on Iran,” the alert said, according to Williamson. “We have no additional information.”Â
After reports about the advisory surfaced publicly, White House Press Secretary sharply criticized the coverage.
“This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people,” Leavitt wrote.Â
She said the reporting was based on “one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip,” adding: “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly said there was no verified threat to the state and that officials remained in communication with federal authorities as a precaution.
Former Department of Homeland Security official Tom Warrick said the wording of the advisory suggests the intelligence likely reflected aspirational discussion rather than operational planning.
“When you see the word unverified, that generally means this is aspirational,” Warrick said.
He emphasized that advisories of this kind are not routine occurrences, but during periods of heightened tensions â particularly involving Iran â federal authorities may err on the side of caution.
“Its not a regular occurrence,” Warrick said. “But given the war with Iran, and given Irans known tendencies, its only prudent for the FBI to put out a notice to local law enforcement to be aware that this is what we know â but this is all we know.”
Warrick said such reporting often stems from intercepted communications in which foreign actors discuss potential attack concepts without evidence of capability or follow-through.
“Somehow the United States picked up information of Iranians talking to each other â who probably have some affiliation to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Quds Force â talking about, Wouldnt it be nice to launch a drone attack on California” Warrick said, describing what he believes likely triggered the alert. “Thats where we are.”
He stressed that distributing such intelligence allows local authorities to connect suspicious activity â such as or maritime behavior â with broader federal reporting.
At the same time, Warrick drew a distinction between large-scale military drone strikes and smaller improvised threats.
“Were not talking about launching Shaheds at California. Thats not feasible,” he said.
“Using small-scale hobby drones to carry out a terrorist attack has always been a concern of homeland security,” he added. “That threat already exists.”Â
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