Armed drones from Iran do not pose a threat to the U.S. homeland, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday in response to news reports that the FBI warned California police departments about the possibility of Iranian drone strikes.
“This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people,” Leavitt posted on social media. “They wrote this based on one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip.
“The email even states the tip was based on ‘unverified’ intelligence. Yet ABC News left out this critical fact in their story! WHY?
“TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”
An editor’s note at the top of an updated online version of the ABC report says, “The FBI has posted a fuller version of its alert to California authorities, which includes that the information was unverified. The latest version of this story has been updated with the full statement.”
Citing an FBI alert, ABC reported Wednesday that the news organization “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 U.S. conducted strikes against Iran.”
The alert also said, “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, said he discussed the potential threat with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
“I asked him how did you find out about this Iranian threat and how do we prepare, and he said, ‘I found out about the news … through second and third sources,'” Correa told reporters Thursday.
Prior to the White House denial, state and local officials responded to concerns about Iranian drones possibly threatening the West Coast.
On Wednesday Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was aware of the apparent threat of Iranian drone attacks on California, noting that he activated the state’s emergency operations center.
“Drone issues have always been top of mind,” Newsom told reporters.
“As it relates to drone strikes, we have been aware of that information,” he said. “We have been working collaboratively through the State Operations Center, which we established right after the war began … working with the Office of Emergency Services, but also working locally to make sure we transmit any information that we have received.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday it also remains on heightened alert amid developments in the Middle East and possible related domestic threats.
“In light of current global events, the Department remains at an elevated level of readiness and is maintaining increased vigilance as we continue to protect our residents of Los Angeles County,” according to an LASD statement. “We are working closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to share intelligence and monitor the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and assess any potential impacts in our communities.”
Department officials said public safety remains top priority and they are watching for potential threats that include lone-actor attacks, sleeper cells and cyber-related threats.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and in recognition of current religious observances, the Department has continued increased patrols around places of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent locations throughout the County,” according to the Department statement. Officials have reviewed deployment plans, coordinated with patrol stations and were working to make sure additional resources are available if needed.
Cultural liaison officers from the Sheriff’s Department were working with community members to address concerns and maintain communication with local groups, officials said.
The Los Angeles Police Department also responded to the report Wednesday.
“We want to reassure every Angeleno that we continue to coordinate with all of our federal, state, and local partners for intelligence and information sharing during the ongoing Middle East conflict,” according to an LAPD statement to City News Service. “We share this information in real-time, assess every credible lead, and adjust our posture as needed to ensure the safety of our city. At this time, there are no known or specific threats to Los Angeles. The LAPD remains prepared and committed to maintaining public safety from all potential threats.”
Iran’s sports minister said Thursday the nation’s team will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against the country.
The withdrawal raised questions about who will step in to play those two group-stage matches scheduled at SoFi Stadium.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Iranian state television.
Iran had been scheduled to play two Group G matches in June at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood against New Zealand and Belgium. Team Iran also had a scheduled match against Egypt in Seattle.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said earlier this week that President Donald Trump had told him the Iranian national team would be welcome to compete in the United States despite the military conflict.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the first day of the attacks Feb. 28 and has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Seven U.S. military personnel have died in the conflict, according to U.S. officials, and Iranian state media reported Monday the latest toll of people killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes was more than 1,200.
