Oscars 2026: Security stepped up after FBI alert about Iran plan to launch surprise drone attack

Security has been ramped up for this year’s Oscars, days after the FBI warned of a potential “surprise attack” by Iran on California.

With the cream of Hollywood expected to walk the red carpet and attend the ceremony, including Aussies Nicole Kidman, Rose Byrne and Jacob Elordi, broadcast producers have confirmed the ceremony will have increased security.

The awards, to be hosted by Conan O’Brien, will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood at 10am AEDT on Monday.

At a pre-Oscars press conference, broadcast executive producers Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor said they were collaborating closely with the FBI and the LA Police Department.

“This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody that is coming to this show, that is witnessing the show, that is even a fan of the show when they’re standing outside the barricades, we want everybody to feel safe and protected and welcome, so it’s our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates,” Mr Kapoor said.

While they did not speak about any threat from Iran directly, their comments came days after ABC News in the US reported that the FBI had warned police departments across California that Iran could retaliate for US military strikes by launching drones at the west coast.

“We recently acquired unverified information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event the U.S. conducted strikes against Iran,” the alert sent out in late February reportedly reads.

“We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

The White House Press Secretary angrily hit out at ABC over its reporting of the FBI alert, saying the story had initially not made clear that the alert was based on a single unverified tip.

“TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.

But the Oscars producers are not taking any chances and neither are local law enforcement.

A statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to the Hollywood Reporter makes clear it is taking potential threats seriously.

“In light of current global events, the Department remains at an elevated level of readiness and is maintaining increased vigilance as we continue to protect our residents of Los Angeles County,” it read.

“We are working closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to share intelligence and monitor the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and assess any potential impacts in our communities. The safety of the public remains our highest priority.

“As part of our preparedness efforts, we remain attentive to all potential threats, including lone-actor attacks, sleeper cells, and advanced technological or cyber-related threats.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was also monitoring potential threats to California, writing on X “I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at @Cal_OES, to monitor potential threats to California — including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East.

“While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.”

The Oscars Red Carpet Live Show will kick off at 9.30am AEDT on Seven and stream live nationally on 7plus.

The awards ceremony will begin at 10am AEDT, with an encore screening at 9pm.