California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday he was aware of an unverified claim about a possible Iran revenge plot targeting California but there was no “imminent threat.”President Donald Trump said the government was investigating the alleged plot involving drones targeting the state from a boat offshore. A memo issued a week ago by the FBI was distributed to local law enforcement out of an abundance of caution.Ben Williamson, an FBI assistant director for public affairs, posted the full language of the memo Thursday on X.It read: “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 of the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event the U.S. conducted strikes against Iran. We have no additional information on the timing, method, target or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”“As it relates to drone strikes, we have been aware of that information,” Newsom told reporters on Wednesday. “We have been working collaboratively through the (SOC), which we established right after the war began — the State Operations Center. Working with the Office of Emergency Services, but also working locally to make sure we transmit any information that we have received.”He added, “Drone issues have always been top of mind and we have assembled some work groups, specifically around those concerns. But that’s all I will share at the moment.”Newsom later said on social media that there were no “imminent threats.”This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.A spokesperson for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said, “The Cal OES Homeland Security team is in regular coordination with federal, state, and local partners, sharing information on potential threats as part of ongoing security efforts. While we can’t discuss sensitive details, Californians should know that this kind of coordination happens every day to keep people safe. California is prepared to protect its communities, and we’ll continue working closely with our federal partners, including the FBI, who is best positioned to speak to any specific intelligence.”Sen. Alex Padilla said he requested information from the Trump administration on federal efforts to counter potential threats.Sister station KCRA reached out to the FBI and law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles police departments to find out what they’ve been told.The FBI declined to comment on the issue on Wednesday before its spokesman shared the memo on Thursday.Oakland police released the following statement: “We have spoken with our federal partners, who informed us that there may be a heightened risk due to the conflict in the Middle East. To ensure the safety of our community, we are maintaining close contact with local, state, and federal law enforcement. OPD will keep monitoring the situation and determine if there is a need to increase police presence.”San Francisco police said: “The SFPD is always ready to respond to any emergency that may occur in San Francisco, and we are closely monitoring events in the Middle East and around the world. We’re in communication and working closely with our local, state and federal partners.”The Los Angeles Mayor’s Office said: “As always, the Mayor’s Office and LAPD are coordinating closely with state and federal partners to keep Angelenos safe. At this time, there is no specific or credible threat to Los Angeles.”KCRA asked Newsom if he had spoken to Trump. He said he hadn’t.When asked if he saw a possible attack as credible, Newsom responded that it was part of a broader situation officials are monitoring.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday he was aware of an unverified claim about a possible Iran revenge plot targeting California but there was no “imminent threat.”
President Donald Trump said the government was investigating the alleged plot involving drones targeting the state from a boat offshore.
A memo issued a week ago by the FBI was distributed to local law enforcement out of an abundance of caution.
Ben Williamson, an FBI assistant director for public affairs, posted the full language of the memo Thursday on X.
It read: “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 of the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event the U.S. conducted strikes against Iran. We have no additional information on the timing, method, target or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
“As it relates to drone strikes, we have been aware of that information,” Newsom told reporters on Wednesday. “We have been working collaboratively through the (SOC), which we established right after the war began — the State Operations Center. Working with the Office of Emergency Services, but also working locally to make sure we transmit any information that we have received.”
He added, “Drone issues have always been top of mind and we have assembled some work groups, specifically around those concerns. But that’s all I will share at the moment.”
Newsom later said on social media that there were no “imminent threats.”
This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
A spokesperson for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said, “The Cal OES Homeland Security team is in regular coordination with federal, state, and local partners, sharing information on potential threats as part of ongoing security efforts. While we can’t discuss sensitive details, Californians should know that this kind of coordination happens every day to keep people safe. California is prepared to protect its communities, and we’ll continue working closely with our federal partners, including the FBI, who is best positioned to speak to any specific intelligence.”
Sen. Alex Padilla said he requested information from the Trump administration on federal efforts to counter potential threats.
Sister station KCRA reached out to the FBI and law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles police departments to find out what they’ve been told.
The FBI declined to comment on the issue on Wednesday before its spokesman shared the memo on Thursday.
Oakland police released the following statement: “We have spoken with our federal partners, who informed us that there may be a heightened risk due to the conflict in the Middle East. To ensure the safety of our community, we are maintaining close contact with local, state, and federal law enforcement. OPD will keep monitoring the situation and determine if there is a need to increase police presence.”
San Francisco police said: “The SFPD is always ready to respond to any emergency that may occur in San Francisco, and we are closely monitoring events in the Middle East and around the world. We’re in communication and working closely with our local, state and federal partners.”
The Los Angeles Mayor’s Office said: “As always, the Mayor’s Office and LAPD are coordinating closely with state and federal partners to keep Angelenos safe. At this time, there is no specific or credible threat to Los Angeles.”
KCRA asked Newsom if he had spoken to Trump. He said he hadn’t.
When asked if he saw a possible attack as credible, Newsom responded that it was part of a broader situation officials are monitoring.
