State and local officials in California said Wednesday that there were no specific imminent threats to the state from Iranian drones, but that they remained alert to the possibility following a federal warning shortly before the war began.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation told California police agencies in recent weeks that if American forces attacked Iran, Iran might counter by sending ship-based drones to strike targets in the state, according to a person familiar with the February security alert who was not authorized to give information and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The alert said Iran “aspired” to such a counterstrike, not that it had the capability to do so.
The warning, which was first reported by ABC News, is the kind of information-sharing meant to keep local law enforcement agencies apprised of possible dangers. Similar alerts are often issued when the United States conducts military operations overseas, as federal agencies encourage local officials to be vigilant for possible acts of retaliation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday that state officials were aware of the warning and had been in close communication with federal and local law enforcement agencies to disseminate information.
“It’s all about a posture of preparedness for a worst-case scenario,” Mr. Newsom told reporters during an unrelated news conference.
The homeland security division of California’s emergency services office has been working under an elevated security level since the U.S. and Israel began the war with Iran. California routinely receives security updates from the federal government, and Mr. Newsom said state officials were unaware of any imminent threats.
The governor said the warning was not a surprise but that he has many questions about what could happen next in the war with Iran. He said he has not talked directly with President Trump.
“I wish the president would talk to the American people about what this is all about. What’s the end game here?” said Mr. Newsom, a Democrat seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.
Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, said that he was aware of the F.B.I. warning and had requested additional information from the Trump administration on federal efforts to counter any potential threats to California from Iran.
California’s coastline spans some 840 miles and the state is home to more military bases than any other state. About 150,000 Iranian-born Americans live in the Los Angeles area, many of whom were members of oppressed minorities in Iran — Jews, Assyrians, Baha’i, Christians — and are critical of Iran’s leadership.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles said that her office and the city’s police department were “coordinating closely with state and federal partners.”
“At this time,” she added, “there is no specific or credible threat to Los Angeles.”
The mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, offered similar assurances. “I want you all to know that we are aware of the reports that were made public today, and we have been in constant communication with our state and federal partners, who have assured us there are no imminent threats to us here in San Francisco,” Mr. Lurie said in a statement.
The police in Oakland, Calif., said that they had been informed by federal agencies that the war with Iran could cause heightened risks. The department said in a statement that it is monitoring the situation to “determine if there is a need to increase police presence.”
Officials at the sheriff’s departments for San Bernardino County and Orange County also said they were aware of the F.B.I. warning but that no specific threats had been identified in their area. Nonetheless, the departments asked residents to report anything suspicious.
“This is the most extreme time I’ve seen in decades,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said in an interview. “We’re encouraging everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, including online and digital spaces. If you see something disturbing, or a neighbor is saying things that concern you, let us know. That’s what’s going to keep us safe.”
Jill Cowan, Heather Knight and Orlando Mayorquín contributed reporting.
Devlin Barrett covers the Justice Department and the F.B.I. for The Times.
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