"US FBI Warns California Police of Possible Iranian Drone Attacks"

"Risk of Drone Strikes on U.S. West Coast"
"Suspicions of Ties with Mexican Drug Cartels"

The Iranian Shahed drone deployed in the 2020 Ukraine war. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly sent a warning to law enforcement authorities in California that Iran may launch retaliatory terrorist attacks using drones. Concerns over possible ties between the two sides are mounting, as intelligence has surfaced that Mexican drug cartels are increasing their use of Iranian-made drones.

On March 11 local time, ABC News in the United States reported, "We have obtained a warning sent by the FBI to California police at the end of last month," adding, "The document includes the possibility that Iran could anchor small boats off the western coast of the U.S. mainland and launch drones for a surprise attack." However, ABC News noted that there was no additional information provided regarding the timing, method, targets, or perpetrators of such an attack.

The date on which the warning was sent was also not specified. However, ABC News added that it appears to have been delivered around February 28, when military operations against Iran began. U.S. intelligence agencies are believed to have obtained information regarding the possibility of Iranian retaliatory attacks in early February.

Since September of last year, U.S. intelligence agencies have been concerned that Mexican drug cartel organizations may use drones to attack U.S. military personnel or civilians near the border. As information surfaced that Mexican cartel leaders were preparing drone attacks equipped with explosives, suspicions of links with Iran grew stronger. John Cohen, who previously oversaw the intelligence division at the Department of Homeland Security, told ABC News, "Iran has influence in Mexico and South America, possesses drones, and has the motive to carry out an attack. Issuing a warning so that local governments can better prepare and respond is a wise move."

Allegations that Iran and Mexican drug cartels are indirectly connected have persisted. Dr. Walid Phares, a Middle East and terrorism expert, recently stated in a report, "The regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and drug organizations in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia are linked through a network. Iran is believed to have used Hezbollah to trade with them along drug trafficking routes."

However, it remains unclear whether Iran's plans for a retaliatory attack are still active. Since the U.S. airstrikes, Iran has not carried out any terrorist attacks on the U.S. mainland.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.