Iran ‘might launch drone strike on California in seconds’ as Oscars fears ramp up
As Hollywood prepares for the Oscars, top US security experts are warning that Iran could launch a deadly drone strike on California at any moment, with the FBI issuing an urgent alert
Oscars billboards are seen as preparations are made ahead of the 98th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Hollywood’s biggest night could be under threat as fears grow that Iran might launch a devastating drone strike. The Middle Eastern nation could reportedly launch a deadly drone attack on California, USA at any time.
These disturbing revelations were made by a leading US Army expert, as they further warned the US are nowhere near “prepared” for it. The FBI has consequently urgently warned police across California about the risk of an Iranian drone strike, according to an alert seen on Wednesday (March 11).
This comes as law enforcement teams from Los Angeles, Homeland Security and the FBI are already on the ground working on plans to protect the biggest names in movies from Gwyneth Paltrow to Cillian Murphy at the Dolby Theatre before Sunday’s Oscars ceremony.
The FBI’s chilling message stated: “We 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 State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.”
Brett Velicovich, a former US Army intelligence and special operations soldier who spent years using drones to hunt terrorists, reportedly said Iran has the technology, the ability, and the motivation to strike California with drones. Velicovich told reporters: “We’re extremely vulnerable to drone attacks.
“We’re not prepared for this.” He reportedly believes Iran is almost certainly plotting to attack California’s shores with drones, and the FBI’s warning shows just how real the threat is.
Velicovich explained that Iran likely has thousands of attack drones, which can be controlled from thousands of miles away and fly hundreds of miles before hitting their targets, the New York Post reported. “These are long-range, one-way attack drones that are extremely capable and can be sent in swarms,” he said.
He added that these drones could be launched from ships, as the FBI warned, and they wouldn’t even need a person nearby. “You don’t even need a human anywhere near this,” Velicovich said.
“You can launch these things over Starlink from a boat 1,000 miles away.” The expert also reportedly warned that Iran’s links with Mexico and South American countries mean that drones could be launched from south of the US border as well.
Velicovich said Iran’s “strategy is to sow fear” with drone attacks, targeting crowds or important infrastructure for maximum terror. “It’s population centres, infrastructure, ports, locations that can disrupt the economy,” he said.
“This is an issue that deserves national attention.” Potential targets could include sporting events, hotels, office buildings, government offices, and military bases.
Velicovich further warned that Iranian drones could deliver explosives with pinpoint accuracy using only GPS, making them extremely difficult to defend against. He said stopping such attacks would require a range of defences, from missiles and jammers to even machine guns, as “there’s no one single solution”.
While the FBI insists the threat is real and has urged vigilance, Los Angeles police say there are currently no specific threats to the city.
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