Federal authorities have warned law enforcement agencies across California that Iran may be planning a “surprise” drone attack on the West Coast in retaliation for U.S. military strikes.
However, authorities confirm that there is no credible intelligence to authenticate the threat.
The warning was issued through a confidential memo distributed to agencies of the Federal Joint Terrorism Task Force.
According to the document reviewed by several media outlets, “Iran reportedly aspired to carry out a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States, specifically against unspecified targets in California.”
The warning came as the war entered its 12th day.
The memo said the intelligence was obtained in early February, anticipating Iranian retaliation “in the event the United States conducted strikes against Iran.”
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that police sources familiar with the assessment confirmed that the warning was cautious in nature and was not based on credible or authentic intelligence.
The threat, however, has sparked new concerns about the introduction of drone warfare on American soil.
John Cohen, former intelligence chief for the Department of Homeland Security, said Iran’s presence in Mexico and South America is significant and with the capabilities of its drones and its current level of motivation, they pose a threat worth monitoring.
