Gov. Gavin Newsom takes action after the FBI’s chilling warning about a potential Iranian drone strike on California
In a report by ABC News, the FBI warned police departments in California about potential drone strikes by Iran. Gov. Gavin Newsom reassured Californians on X, but social media users have been skeptical of the FBI alert.
“A new alert reviewed by ABC News reveals Iran’s aspirations to conduct a surprise attack, specifically against unspecified targets in California,” Kyra Phillips of ABC News reported. She said the FBI warned of the possibility of strikes by unmanned armed vehicles (UAVs), or drones.
“We’ve reviewed an alert that came within the last couple of weeks,” said Aaron Katersky, the chief investigative correspondent of ABC News. He claimed that Iran “is aspiring” to launch a retaliatory attack on the United States mainland using drones on the West Coast.
He also said that an uncorroborated report points to unidentified Mexican cartel leaders who “authorized attacks” using drones carrying explosives against US personnel at the US-Mexico border. When Phillips asked why California, specifically, Katersky responded that it’s “not exactly clear.” Katersky speculates that Iran could have pre-positioned the attacks through ships in international waters.
“I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at @Cal_OES, to monitor potential threats to California,” said Newsom in a post on X. He tagged the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services on the tweet.
“While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state,” he added. This contradicts the FBI report’s alert of Iran’s plans to attack the West Coast with drones.
Social media speculates
Several social media users voiced their opinions on the matter, many of whom think that there is a possibility of a ‘false flag.’ That is to say, Iran is not going to be the one striking the United States—instead, the threat may be closer to home.
Political commentator Hasan Piker wrote, “very difficult for me to read this as anything but a potential false flag set up im ngl.”
Patricia Marins, a security and defense analyst, wondered why the strikes would be directed to California. The West Coast is farther from Iran than the East Coast. Outside of Washington, D.C., several of the United States’ financial hubs are also convenient targets on the West Coast.
“What is there in California that justifies this alert from a federal agency? Why would Iran cross the entire Indian Ocean, pass through the Strait of Malacca, and then traverse the whole Pacific Ocean just to launch half a dozen drones at California?” she asked.
In a follow-up tweet, she referenced that there were U.S. aircraft carriers that were “as close as 350 km” to the Iranian coast. Although Trump later claimed several American ships were hit by Iran, it still begs the question: why would Iran choose to specifically strike California?
What is a false flag?
A false flag in which a nation attacks its own and blames its enemy for it. Trump and Newsom have a contentious political relationship. At one point, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to suppress ICE protests. The move would later be blocked by a federal judge, as Trump has not proven the necessity of controlling California’s National Guard.
Regardless, these are just theories floating amidst rising tensions. People feel the uncertainty, and Trump still has not explained the rationale behind the war.
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