White House Leavitt: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did

The White House has categorically denied reports suggesting Iran posed a credible threat to U.S. homeland security, refuting a recent ABC News story that cited an FBI alert to California law enforcement. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” emphasizing that the FBI’s communication was based on a single, unverified tip. Leavitt criticized ABC News for omitting key context, including the FBI’s own caveat that the intelligence was unverified, and demanded a retraction, alleging the report unnecessarily alarmed the public.

The FBI’s alert, shared with Joint Terrorism Task Forces, indicated Iran “allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles” against unspecified California targets if the U.S. pursued military strikes. However, the agency provided no further details on timing, methods, or perpetrators. FBI spokesman Ben Williamson highlighted discrepancies between the original alert and ABC’s reporting, noting the network omitted the “unverified” qualifier.

Amid heightened tensions following U.S. military operations in Iran, President Trump reiterated concerns about Iranian sleeper cells in the U.S., attributing their presence to previous immigration policies. While the administration disputes the validity of the threat, the episode underscores the challenges of balancing intelligence transparency with public communication. For investors, the incident highlights the economic risks of geopolitical instability, including potential disruptions to markets and defense spending priorities. As the White House and media outlets clash over factual accuracy, clarity in threat assessments remains critical for informed decision-making.

The Hill, March 12, 2026.