TheĀ White HouseĀ has launched a sharp rebuttal againstĀ ABC NewsĀ following a report alleging thatĀ IranĀ planned to deploy drone strikes againstĀ CaliforniaĀ in retaliation forĀ Operation Epic Fury. Press SecretaryĀ Karoline LeavittĀ accused the news organization of disseminating misinformation by failing to clarify that theĀ FBIĀ warning was based on “unverified” intelligence.Ā LeavittĀ demanded an immediate retraction, characterizing the report as an attempt to cause public alarm without factual basis.
The dispute stems from an internalĀ FBIĀ alert concerning unidentified vessels off theĀ CaliforniaĀ coast. While the initial media report suggested an imminent threat using unmanned aerial vehicles, theĀ Trump administrationĀ clarified that the intelligence lacked specific details regarding the timing, methods, or perpetrators of any potential attack.Ā Governor Gavin NewsomĀ echoed a cautious sentiment, noting that while state intelligence teams are monitoring the situation, the immediate validity of the reported threat remains downplayed.
This confrontation occurs as the administration defends its broader military strategy againstĀ Iran. AlthoughĀ LeavittĀ confirmed that the primary objective ofĀ Operation Epic FuryĀ is the dismantling of theĀ Iranian militaryĀ and its associatedĀ terrorist proxies, the administration continues to face scrutiny over conflicting signals regarding a potential policy of regime change underĀ President Donald Trump. The clash highlights the growing tension between the executive branch and media outlets over national security narratives.
