Media: Iran Was Preparing To Strike Shahed In California

• 11.03.2026, 22:27

What is known.

Iran was probably preparing to strike California with drones. This was reported by ABC News on March 11, citing a Federal Bureau of Investigation warning bulletin.

The bulletin, sent to U.S. law enforcement officials in late February, said Tehran was allegedly planning to launch a surprise attack from an unknown vessel off the U.S. coast. The exact timing, method, specific targets and perpetrators of this potential attack are not yet known.

The warning comes amid prolonged U.S. strikes on Iran, to which Tehran is already responding with strikes - missile and drone attacks on Middle Eastern countries.

Besides Iran, U.S. intelligence officials are concerned about the possible use of drones by Mexican drug cartels to attack U.S. forces and law enforcers along the Mexican border. Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security intelligence chief John Cohen said the FBI's warning would help state and local agencies better prepare for such threats.

The FBI did not specify how or when drone vessels might approach the U.S. mainland, but U.S. intelligence is concerned about the possibility of drones being pre-positioned on land or on ships at sea for potential attacks.