The White House has aggressively countered a report by ABC News alleging that Iran planned drone attacks against California as retaliation for Operation Epic Fury. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the network for disseminating misinformation, pointing out that the underlying FBI warning was based on “unverified” intelligence. The administration has demanded an immediate retraction, asserting that there is no credible threat to the United States homeland and accusing media outlets of intentionally alarming the public.
The controversy stems from an internal FBI alert regarding unidentified vessels off the California coast. While the report suggested a surprise aerial assault using unmanned vehicles, the Trump administration argued the source material lacked actionable details concerning timing or perpetrators. Governor Gavin Newsom also addressed the situation, confirming that state intelligence teams are monitoring the coast while downplaying the immediate validity of the reported threats.
Simultaneously, the White House is defending its broader military strategy against Iran. Karoline Leavitt addressed claims of inconsistent messaging regarding Operation Epic Fury, clarifying that the primary objectives are the destruction of the Iranian military and its terrorist proxies. However, the administration faces ongoing scrutiny over whether President Donald Trump is pursuing a policy of regime change following contradictory remarks made over the weekend.
