The White House has issued a forceful rebuttal against ABC News following a report suggesting that Iran planned to deploy drone strikes against California in retaliation for Operation Epic Fury. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the news organization for allegedly spreading misinformation by failing to disclose that the FBI warning was based on “unverified” intelligence. Demanding an immediate retraction, Leavitt maintained that there is no verified threat to the United States mainland and accused the media of intentionally inciting public panic.
The heart of the controversy involves an internal FBI alert regarding unidentified vessels spotted off the coast of California. While initial reports warned of a potential surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles, the Trump administration pointed out that the intelligence lacked specific details concerning timing or execution. Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the situation by stating that California intelligence teams are monitoring the coast, though he significantly downplayed the immediate credibility of the reported threats. Simultaneously, the White House is working to clarify its messaging regarding the broader military objectives of Operation Epic Fury. Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the primary goal remains the neutralization of the Iranian military and its regional proxies. However, the administration remains under intense scrutiny over whether President Donald Trump is seeking regime change, a point of confusion exacerbated by contradictory statements issued over the weekend regarding the operation’s ultimate end state.
