Security has been increased around the Oscars after the FBI warned law enforcement about the potential for an Iranian drone threat to the West Coast. The information about Iran's aspirations for a surprise drone attack on the West Coast came before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, and a senior law enforcement official said it's believed the 12-day bombardment has severely degraded Iran's capabilities to carry out such an attack.
According to an FBI alert distributed at the end of February, "We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran." "We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack," the alert said.
However, when the threat became public this week, law enforcement officials quickly downplayed its immediacy. Multiple U.S. and California law enforcement and intelligence officials tell CBS News there is no known, specific threat underpinning the memo, which was issued a week ago and distributed to local law enforcement by the FBI's Los Angeles office. A California-based federal law enforcement official told CBS News the warning that was distributed last week about Iranian drones "is not actionable." "This is unverified," another federal law enforcement official told CBS News.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X: "While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state."
Despite the measured official assessment, the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood is proceeding with substantial security enhancements. The LAPD is deploying uniformed officers, surveillance cameras, and drones in the Hollywood area, with approximately 1,000 private security personnel also present at and around the venue. Specialized units, including SWAT and bomb squads with canine units, are on standby. By Sunday night, officials say hundreds of Los Angeles police officers, along with federal personnel, will be deployed as part of a large multi-agency operation.
Oscars telecast executive producer Raj Kapoor confirmed this year's event will indeed include increased security precautions. "We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it's a close collaboration," Kapoor said. "This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody that is coming to this show, that is witnessing the show, that is even a fan of the show when they're standing outside the barricades, we want everybody to feel safe and protected and welcome, so it's our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates."
The alert reflects broader US concerns about Iranian retaliation. Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America, they have relationships, they have the drones and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks, according to a security analyst quoted in coverage of the intelligence. Iran has conducted drone attacks across the Middle East since the war began nearly two weeks ago.
"We have agents working in close conjunction with the LAPD on Oscar security," FBI LA Bureau's Laura Eimiller told Deadline. "That is routine for high-profile events such as the Academy Awards." The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at 7pm ET.