FBI has warned police departments in California that Iran wants to retaliate for American attacks by launching drones against the West Coast, according to ABC

“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 State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran,” according to the alert distributed at the end of February. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

The FBI's warning about a potential drone attack from Iran significantly heightens geopolitical tensions, particularly around the West Coast of the U.S. This type of escalation can lead to increased volatility in energy prices and safe-haven assets like gold, as markets often react to geopolitical risks. Watch for impacts on the USD and broader risk sentiment, especially in commodities and foreign exchange markets.