White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is demanding that ABC News retract a report claiming Iran was planning a drone attack against California, accusing the network of spreading unverified information that unnecessarily alarmed the public.
The controversy erupted after ABC reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had issued an internal alert warning that Iran might attempt to retaliate for U.S. strikes by launching unmanned aerial vehicles from a vessel off the U.S. West Coast.
According to the White House, the intelligence cited in the report was based on a single unverified tip and should not have been presented as a credible threat to the American homeland.
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White House Pushes Back
Leavitt publicly rebuked ABC News on Thursday, insisting the outlet omitted critical context from the FBI bulletin that clearly labeled the information as “unverified.”
“This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people,” Leavitt wrote.
She said the report was based on a single email distributed to California law enforcement agencies that explicitly described the information as raw intelligence.
“To be clear: no such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” she added.
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What the FBI Bulletin Actually Said
The FBI alert reportedly warned local law enforcement that Iran had “allegedly aspired” to conduct a surprise drone attack against California if the United States carried out military strikes on Iran.
However, the bulletin also included language emphasizing that the information was “unverified intelligence” and subject to revision.
According to an FBI spokesperson, the warning was intended for internal situational awareness among law enforcement agencies rather than public reporting.
The document also reportedly included a red notice stating the information was raw intelligence not intended for public dissemination.
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Other Officials Downplay Threat
Officials speaking to CBS News also cast doubt on the report, saying there was no credible intelligence supporting the scenario described in the bulletin.
According to CBS, multiple law enforcement and intelligence officials confirmed the tip was speculative and not backed by verified evidence.
Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom said the bulletin was part of normal security monitoring rather than a confirmed threat.
“It’s all about preparedness for worst-case scenarios,” Newsom told reporters.
Iran’s Drone Warfare Capabilities
While the specific California threat may have been unverified, analysts say Iran’s drone arsenal is well documented.
Iran has widely deployed Shahed-series drones, including the Shahed-136 loitering munition, in conflicts across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
These drones are relatively inexpensive—often estimated between $20,000 and $50,000—yet capable of delivering explosive payloads over long distances.
They have been used in attacks against Israeli targets, Gulf nations, and in the war in Ukraine.
Because they are cheap and difficult to intercept, such drones have become a cornerstone of Iran’s asymmetric warfare strategy.
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Media Credibility Debate
The dispute highlights growing tensions between the White House and major media outlets over reporting on intelligence leaks during wartime.
Critics say premature reporting on unverified intelligence can spark public panic and distort national security discussions.
Supporters of the press argue that reporting on internal warnings can inform the public about potential risks.
The episode underscores the complicated balance between transparency, security, and responsible journalism during periods of geopolitical tension.
Prophetic Context
Global tensions involving Iran and Western powers have drawn attention from those studying biblical prophecy.
The Bible refers to Persia—modern-day Iran—in passages describing future geopolitical conflict.
“Persia, Cush and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet.” — Ezekiel 38:5 (NASB 1995)
While interpretations vary, many observers note that escalating conflicts involving Iran and Israel continue to shape the geopolitical landscape in ways that echo long-standing prophetic discussions.
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Conclusion
The dispute over ABC News’ drone threat report highlights the challenges of reporting on intelligence during wartime. While federal officials insist the California threat was based on unverified information, the episode underscores how quickly rumors and incomplete intelligence can escalate into national headlines.
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