WH Slams Reports Iran Could Be Targeting West Coast With Drone Attacks

The original quote from ABC’s reporting reads: “We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran. We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

However, the actual quote began: “We recently acquired unverified information…”

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Even California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom refuted the report that the state might be the target of Iranian drone attacks, telling Californians that dedicated teams are actively gathering intelligence and striving to protect the state.

The White House is also working to address a backlash from conservative commentators who are accusing the Trump administration of inconsistent messaging regarding its military operation against Iran.

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Last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a detailed statement defending the president against complaints that he and his advisers have been unclear and at times contradictory in justifying the conflict.

While she did not address whether Trump is seeking regime change in Iran, as he suggested in his remarks to the nation over the weekend, she did identify the destruction of Iran’s military and its terrorist proxies as key objectives.

“Killing terrorists is good for America,” Leavitt said in a sharp X post in response to conservative podcaster and analyst Matt Walsh.

“On Saturday, President Trump released a statement laying out clear objectives to the American people for Operation Epic Fury. Let me reiterate them: Destroy the Iranian regime’s missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. Annihilate the Iranian regime’s Navy. Ensure the regime’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces. Stop them from making and using IEDs or roadside bombs, which have gravely wounded and killed thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. Guarantee that Iran can NEVER obtain a nuclear weapon,” Leavitt declared.