Golden State on alert amid reports of Iran war threats

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California has elevated its security concerns since the outbreak of war in the Middle East and over reports Iran wants to punish the United States with drone strikes.

News reports on Wednesday indicated federal agencies have warned the Golden State that Iran could send drones as retaliation for “Operation Epic Fury," which killed Iran’s leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The FBI declined comment Wednesday, saying it could neither confirm nor deny the reports.

“I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at [the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services], to monitor potential threats to California — including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a post on X. “While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.”

An emergency services spokesperson said they couldn’t reveal sensitive details.

“The Cal OES Homeland Security team is in regular coordination with federal, state, and local partners, sharing information on potential threats as part of security efforts,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “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.”

State Senator Melissa Hurtado, a Bakersfield Democrat, urged local officials to stay vigilant.

“Californians cannot assume global conflicts won’t touch us,” she said in a statement. “The recent FBI warning about a potential Iranian drone threat here in our state is a reminder that hybrid threats — from cyberattacks to threats using emerging technologies — are real and have been here for some time.”

The state receives security bulletins daily from federal agencies, sending them to law enforcement and emergency responders throughout California.

A Los Angeles police spokesperson told Courthouse News that he knew of no specific threats to his city at this time.

“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,” he added in a statement. “We share this information in real time, assess every credible lead, and adjust our posture as needed to ensure the safety of our city.”

Sacramento police said the department had no information at the time.

The elevated security concern stems from the Feb. 28 attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. Reports indicate some 2,000 people have died in the attacks, including the former ayatollah. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since been named the new supreme leader.

Seven American service members have died in the conflict, and dozens have been injured.

President Donald Trump and U.S. officials have given differing reasons for the war, including Israel’s plan to attack and the Middle Eastern country’s desire for nuclear capabilities.

U.S. officials also have delivered mixed signals about the planned length of the war, with Trump saying it could be resolved within days.

The conflict has led to a spike in gasoline prices, as some 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which borders Iran.

Gas prices hovered around $4.50 in the Sacramento area late last week before jumping around 40 cents over the weekend. Prices at many stations exceeded $5 on Wednesday.