The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned California police at the end of February that in retaliation for the American strikes, Iran may attack the US West Coast with drones, ABC News reported on Wednesday. The drones would be launched from the ship at targets in California.
“Recently, we have received information that in early February 2026, Iran reportedly intended to conduct a surprise attack using drones (launched from) an unidentified vessel off the coast of the US, specifically against unspecified targets in California,” wrote the warning sent at the end of February, quoted by ABC News.
“We have no additional information about the date, method, purpose or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” it added.
The warning emphasized that Iran planned to carry out such an attack in the event of US airstrikes on Iran.
The FBI or the White House did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
Russians are helping Iran
Russia is providing Iran with information on how to use drones to attack U.S. and regional targets, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing a Western intelligence source. Moscow shares its strategy for using drones developed during the war in Ukraine.
The Shahed drones used by the Russians in their war against Ukraine were designed in Iran and are mass-produced in Russia. Iran uses this type of drones during the war with the US and Israel that has been ongoing since February 28. UAVs have proven effective in defeating the air defense of countries in the region.
The media has previously reported Russian intelligence support for Iran during the current war, enabling it to carry out attacks against US forces in the Middle East. The specific tactical support could indicate a new level of potentially lethal assistance to Tehran, CNN said.
“What was largely blanket support is now becoming increasingly concerning as it includes drone targeting strategies that Russia has deployed in Ukraine,” a Western intelligence official said.
The interlocutor refused to specify exactly what kind of assistance he was talking about. However, CNN noted that Russia is using Shaheda against Ukraine in waves. Many drones fly in groups, changing course regularly to confuse air defenses. In one night, Ukraine can face up to a thousand Shaheds.
On Tuesday, US special envoy for peacekeeping Steve Witkoff stated that during a telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Monday, the Russians denied passing intelligence information to Iran. Witkoff said that “you can take the Russians at their word.”
Witkoff previously said he had strongly warned Russians against helping Iran attack U.S. troops. President Trump claimed that, contrary to media reports, there is no indication that Iran is receiving such aid, but even if it was, there are no visible effects because Iran is being “decimated.” Trump also claimed that the Russians could say that the US is doing the same (in Ukraine).
Meanwhile, the Gulf countries are looking for defense against Iran in… Ukraine
Saudi Arabia is in talks with Ukraine regarding the purchase of interceptor drones worth millions of dollars, designed to combat Iran's Shahed strike drones, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing its own sources.
The Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Independent, citing a source in the Ukrainian defense industry, revealed on Wednesday that this “huge deal” between Riyadh and Kiev could be finalized this week.
Gulf countries currently defend themselves against Iranian drones using very expensive American air defenses, which can cope with most missile attacks but are not as effective against swarms of Shahed drones.
And Ukrainian interceptor drones, which cost only a few thousand dollars, are one of the most effective ways of defending against equally cheap Iranian drones and are the only ones in the world that have proven their worth in war conditions.
“Ukraine has the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech this week, adding that without Ukraine's experience, it will be very difficult for Gulf countries, Europe and the United States to build strong defense.
Zelensky revealed that he has already received 11 requests from countries neighboring Iran, as well as from European countries and the United States, asking for help in combating Iranian Shahed drones.
In addition to interceptor drones, Saudi Arabia is also interested in purchasing Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems to strengthen its defense against drone attacks.
Other Middle Eastern countries show similar interest, including Qatar, whose representatives have already visited Kiev, where Ukrainian soldiers shared with them their experiences in fighting drones in war conditions.
The war between the US-Israel coalition and Iran has been going on since February 28. The operation includes bombing targets in Iran. In response, Tehran launches retaliatory strikes not only against Israel, but also against targets in the region, including: in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
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