Newsom says no imminent threat of possible Iran drone attack in California

White House rejects reports of threat, calling it "unverified intelligence"

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:35pm

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California Governor Gavin Newsom stated there is no imminent threat to the state, despite a warning from the FBI about Iran potentially sending drones to the West Coast in retaliation. The White House Press Secretary also rejected the reports, saying "No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did."

Why it matters

The alleged threat from Iran highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the challenges of responding to potential national security threats based on unverified intelligence. It also raises questions about preparedness and communication between federal, state, and local authorities.

The details

The FBI recently warned police departments about Iran allegedly aspiring to conduct a surprise attack using drones from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast, specifically targeting unspecified targets in California. However, the alert also stated the information was "unverified." The White House Press Secretary later said the message to law enforcement was based on "unverified intelligence" and that "No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did."

  • On March 12, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the alleged threat.
  • On March 12, 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the reports of a threat from Iran.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who stated there was no imminent threat to the state.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House Press Secretary who rejected reports of a threat from Iran, calling the intelligence "unverified."

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who was asked about the alleged threat at Joint Base Andrews.

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What they’re saying

“No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

“It's being investigated, but you have a lot of things happening. All we can do is take 'em as they come.”

— Donald Trump

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges of responding to potential national security threats based on unverified intelligence, as well as the need for clear and coordinated communication between federal, state, and local authorities to ensure public safety.