The White House has aggressively refuted a report by ABC News suggesting that Iran intended to launch drone attacks against California in retaliation for Operation Epic Fury.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the network of spreading misinformation by omitting that the FBI warning was based on “unverified” intelligence. Leavitt demanded an immediate retraction, asserting that no such threat to the United States homeland exists while criticizing the media for intentionally alarming the public. The controversy centers on an internal FBI alert regarding unidentified vessels off the California coast. While reporting suggested a potential surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles, the Trump administration pointed out that the source material lacked specific details on timing or perpetrators. Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the situation, stating that state intelligence teams are working to protect California while downplaying the immediate validity of the reported threats. Amidst the clash with the media, the White House is also defending its broader military strategy against the Iranian military. Although Leavitt confirmed the primary goals of Operation Epic Fury are the destruction of terrorist proxies, President Donald Trump faces continued scrutiny over whether the administration is ultimately seeking regime change following contradictory remarks.
