Trump Says Iran Drone Threat to California 'Being Investigated,' Claims Sleeper Cells Under Watch
President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US government is actively investigating a potential Iranian drone threat targeting California, while asserting that authorities have identified and are monitoring Iranian "sleeper cells" operating within the United States .
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Trump addressed growing concerns following an FBI warning to California law enforcement about possible drone attacks launched from offshore vessels .
"We know where the 'Iranian sleeper cells' are, and we are going to look very strongly at the Straits," Trump claimed, adding that the US is "in very good shape" and has "eyes on all of them" .
FBI Alert Warns of Possible Drone Attack from Offshore Vessel
The President's comments come after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a confidential alert to police departments across California regarding a potential security threat involving drones that could be launched from vessels off the West Coast .
According to the alert, reviewed by ABC News, intelligence obtained in early February 2026 suggested that Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise drone attack from an unidentified ship near the United States homeland, specifically targeting unspecified locations in California .
The warning, circulated in late February shortly before the Trump administration launched its military campaign against Iran, 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 States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran" .
Officials emphasized that authorities currently have "no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack" .
Trump: "Not Worried" About Attacks on US Soil
Despite the FBI warning, Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Wednesday that he was "not worried" about Iran-backed attacks on American soil .
When asked if he was concerned that Iran might increase its retaliation to include strikes on the US homeland, Trump responded simply, "No, I'm not" .
The President also addressed the ongoing military campaign against Iran, telling supporters in Kentucky earlier Wednesday: "We won. We won, in the first hour it was over, but we won" .
During that same speech, Trump explained how he selected the name "Operation Epic Fury" for the campaign. "They gave me, like, 20 names. And I'm like, falling asleep. I didn't like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, 'I like that name,'" the president was quoted as saying .
Concerns Over Sleeper Cell Activation
Separate intelligence reviewed by ABC News indicates that US authorities intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated in Iran that could serve as an "operational trigger" for sleeper assets outside the country .
The federal alert cited preliminary signals analysis of a transmission likely of Iranian origin that was relayed across several countries shortly after the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli attack on Feb. 28 .
According to the alert, the intercepted message was encoded and appeared to be intended for clandestine recipients who possess the necessary encryption key. Officials said this type of transmission is typically designed to deliver instructions to covert operatives or sleeper assets without relying on internet or cellular networks .
Recent Incidents Raise Concerns
The warnings come after two Iran-related violent incidents occurred during the first week of the war, raising concerns about potential sleeper cell activity :
In Austin, Texas, a 53-year-old Senegalese citizen opened fire on a bar, killing two and wounding 14. Police found a flag of the Islamic Republic and photographs of Iranian regime leaders inside his apartment. During the attack, the suspect wore clothing bearing Islamic references, including a sweatshirt reading "Property of Allah" and a shirt featuring the flag emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran .
In Toronto, just hours after Iran's Supreme Leader was pronounced dead, the boxing gym of Iranian-Canadian dissident activist and cruiserweight champion Salar Gholami was struck by gunfire .
Newsom Responds to Threat
California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the potential threat on Tuesday, stating that his administration is aware of the information and has been working collaboratively with security partners .
"Drone issues have been top of mind," Newsom said during a news conference. "We've been aware of that information, we've been working collaboratively with the [State Operations Center]" .
Newsom noted that California has elevated its security posture since the start of the conflict and is in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services .
"While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state," his office said in a statement .
DHS Assessment: Threat "Probable" but Large-Scale Attack Unlikely
A threat assessment produced by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security concluded that Iran and its proxies "probably" pose a threat of targeted attacks on the United States, although a large-scale physical attack was deemed unlikely .
Intelligence officials have long worried that equipment could be pre-positioned either on land or aboard ships at sea in the event that Israel or the United States launched strikes against Iran .
