Law enforcement agencies throughout California were recently warned that Iran allegedly considered launching a surprise drone attack from a vessel off the U.S. coast targeting unspecified California locations, according to a memo distributed to federal Joint Terrorism Task Force partners.

The warning, first reported by ABC News and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, states that as of early February 2026, Iran aspired to conduct such an attack if the U.S. struck Iran. The U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury — its joint military campaign with Israel against Iran — on February 28.

However, counter-terrorism officials with knowledge of the memo stressed it was cautionary in nature. A source told the Times the threat was "not been deemed credible at this time" and that there was no indication Iran could successfully execute such an operation. The FBI declined to comment. The U.S. Coast Guard provided the underlying intelligence.

For San Diego, the stakes are particularly real. The region hosts the largest concentration of Navy and Marine Corps assets in the world, including Miramar, Naval Air Station North Island, and Naval Base San Diego — all of which have been on heightened security alert since Operation Epic Fury began. Day 11 of the conflict saw U.S. Central Command report that American forces have now struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran, including over 60 ships, with Iranian drones continuing to target commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

With 140 service members wounded and seven killed in the first ten days of the conflict, the war has moved from distant headlines to a daily reality for San Diego families. Officials continue to monitor any credible domestic threat, while reminding residents that no specific warning has been issued for San Diego or East County. (Source: Los Angeles Times)