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 the fact 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 and criticizing the media for intentionally alarming the public.
The controversy centers on an internal FBI alert regarding unidentified vessels off the California coast. While the original reporting suggested a potential surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles, the Trump administration pointed out that the source material lacked specific details on timing, methods, or perpetrators. Governor Gavin Newsom also addressed the situation, stating that California intelligence teams are actively working to protect the state 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 Iran. Karoline Leavitt issued statements to address claims of inconsistent messaging regarding the objectives of Operation Epic Fury. While she confirmed that the primary goals are the destruction of the Iranian military and its terrorist proxies, the administration continues to face scrutiny over whether President Donald Trump is seeking regime change, following contradictory remarks made over the weekend.
