State and local officials say they remain prepared but have identified no imminent threats.

SAN DIEGO — The FBI has warned of unverified information suggesting Iran could potentially launch a surprise drone attack on California targets in retaliation against the United States, prompting responses from state and local officials who say they remain prepared but have identified no imminent threats.

The FBI memo, obtained by CBS News, indicates the bureau received “unverified” information in early February that Iran “allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack” using drones from an unidentified vessel off the coast against “unspecified targets in California.”

Governor Newsom acknowledged awareness of the threat assessment. 

“We’re aware of that information, and we transfer that information in real time to our local partners. Drone issues have always been top of mind,” Newsom said Wednesday. He added on X that “While we’re not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.”

Law enforcement and security officials speaking to CBS News caution that no immediate, specific threat exists behind the warning. Shawn VanDiver, founder of the San Diego chapter of the Truman National Security Project, characterizes the FBI warning as both “alarming and unsurprising.”

Van Diver encouraged a measured public response to the threat assessment. 

“I don’t think people should be freaking out, I don’t think people should be changing much, except that they are paying attention to their surroundings and listening to what the authorities are telling them,” VanDiver told CBS 8.

Foreign state actors employ asymmetric warfare tactics as a logical strategic choice. 

“This is not a surprise. Of course, foreign state actors who we are at war with would think it a good idea to try to leverage asymmetric warfare to sow fear, to harm morale, to take the fight to our shores,” VanDiver added.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton confirmed receipt of the FBI warning and prioritizes security accordingly. The base stated that “the safety and security of our Marines, sailors, civilian personnel, families, and surrounding community remain a foremost priority. We do not discuss specific force protection measures for operational security reasons.”

The FBI memo also referenced a separate, uncorrelated FBI bulletin from September warning that unidentified Mexican drug cartel leaders had authorized drone attacks against U.S. law enforcement and military along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

VanDiver downplayed those concerns based on historical patterns. 

“We’ve been hearing breathless warnings about what the cartels could be doing for years and years and years in San Diego. We haven’t seen cartel violence spill over into San Diego almost ever,” Van Diver said.

Van Diver emphasized that fear should not dictate policy decisions. 

“We can’t be governed by fear… if we allow fear to govern us, we will never do anything,” he said.

Local law enforcement agencies reported no current threats to the region. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police, and Mayor Todd Gloria’s office told CBS 8 that while they are aware of the FBI intelligence, there are “no known threats” to the San Diego region at this time.

Mayor Gloria confirmed local coordination with higher authorities. San Diego Police are “coordinating closely with regional, state and federal partners and we are prepared to respond to any emergency,” Gloria said in a statement.