Iranian American Activists in LA Denounce Terror Threat as 'Wake-Up Call'

Community leaders vow to continue protests against Iranian regime despite warnings of potential drone strike

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:20pm

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Iranian American activists in Los Angeles are calling a recent terror threat warning from the FBI a 'wake-up call' to the country, as they vow to continue their protests against the Iranian regime. The activists say the threat, which warned of a potential Iranian drone strike in California, is a scare tactic that will not intimidate them.

Why it matters

California has the highest concentration of Iranian dissidents in the U.S., up to 500,000, which could be a reason the state was targeted. The activists see the threat as part of the Iranian regime's ongoing propaganda and cyber warfare against the West, and they are working closely with law enforcement to ensure community safety.

The details

On Wednesday, the FBI issued a stark warning to law enforcement about a potential Iranian drone strike against unspecified targets in California, as early as February 2026. This comes amid celebrations in the Iranian American community over the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran's supreme leader in late February. Activists like Lisa Daftari and Arezo Rashidian say they have faced threats before and are undeterred, vowing to continue their protests in Westwood.

  • In late February 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes that killed Iran's supreme leader.
  • On March 12, 2026, the FBI issued a warning about a potential Iranian drone strike in California.

The players

Lisa Daftari

A foreign policy analyst with a specialization in Middle Eastern policy and counterterrorism, who says she has faced threats throughout her career.

Arezo Rashidian

An activist and one of the organizers behind the Los Angeles demonstrations against the Iranian regime.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's a great wake-up call to those who believe that this was either a war of choice or a war to distract from other political dealings.”

— Lisa Daftari, Foreign Policy Analyst (The Post)

“We're going to continue to fight.”

— Arezo Rashidian, Activist (N/A)

“This is very targeted to the protesters because we make a lot of noise. We know, we've dealt with it before. They're scare tactics. We're not intimidated.”

— Arezo Rashidian, Activist (N/A)

What’s next

The FBI and local law enforcement are continuing to monitor the situation and work closely with the Iranian American community to ensure safety.

The takeaway

The Iranian American activists in Los Angeles see the terror threat as part of the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to intimidate and silence dissent, but they remain resolute in their commitment to continue protesting and speaking out against the regime's actions.