How the Oscars Will Ensure Security amid Fears of a Possible Iranian Attack in California

Concerns about a possible Iranian attack come against the backdrop of ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Security measures at the 2026 Academy Awards this weekend are expected to be heightened following reports that Iran could be considering retaliatory drone strikes targeting California.

Security Tightens After Drone Threat Warning

Hollywood's biggest names will gather to celebrate the film industry on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where the Oscars are taking place. Officials are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone attending the high-profile event.

Officials have said they do not have any direct intelligence confirming a threat, noting that the reports have not yet been substantiated.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, March 11, Oscars telecast executive producers Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor said security for the upcoming ceremony would be increased ahead of the event.

Their remarks came after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned that Iran might have plans to send retaliatory drone strikes to California. These could be potentially launched from the Pacific Ocean, amid the conflict involving the US and Israel.

The FBI alert also read, "We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack." It was circulated to law enforcement agencies across the state. While Mullan and Kapoor did not directly address the FBI warning, their comments followed the recent reports.

Kapoor noted that the Oscars have the best team in the business in all aspects, including security. "Every year, we monitor what's going on in the world. We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it’s a close collaboration. This show has to run like clockwork," he said.

Kapoor added that the team wants everybody who is coming to the Oscars, witnessing the show, or even a fan of the show when they're standing outside the barricades to feel safe, protected, and welcome.

"It's our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates, and that really comes down to us with this very tight relationship, and we have a whole other team of support. It’s something that we don’t take lightly, and we take a lot of responsibility for," he added.

Law Enforcement on High Alert Across California

When contacted, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that, given current global developments, the department remains at a heightened state of readiness. The department is maintaining increased vigilance while continuing efforts to protect residents across Los Angeles County.

It is also working closely with federal and local law enforcement partners to exchange intelligence, monitor the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and evaluate any potential effects on local communities.

Officials added that public safety remains their top priority. They added that preparedness efforts include staying alert to a range of possible threats, such as lone-actor attacks, sleeper cells, and advanced technological or cyber-related risks.

Governor Gavin Newsom also indicated that he is keeping track of any potential threats affecting the state. He said he is in regular coordination with security and intelligence officials, including those at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Together, they monitor possible risks to California linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Newsom added that authorities are not aware of any immediate threats at the moment but remain prepared to respond to any emergency that could arise in the state.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director for Public Affairs at the FBI, Ben Williamson, emphasized that the reported threat remains unverified.

President Donald Trump also addressed the matter, saying, "It's being investigated. But you have a lot of things happening, and all we can do is take them as they come, and the war itself is being prosecuted as well as anybody has ever seen."

Behind the Scenes of a Quietly Fortified Red Carpet

For now, preparations for the weekend's event are continuing as planned. Sources involved in the red carpet rollout said security has been strengthened, though the measures are not highly visible. Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declined to comment on the situation.

Formal red carpet arrivals at the Academy Awards usually begin at 4 p.m. local time, with the host set to open the ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

In 2016, security procedures around the venue were familiar to regular attendees of the awards. Vehicles entering the area were inspected thoroughly, including checks underneath cars using mirrors to detect possible explosives.

Only vehicles with the required permits were allowed into the central security zone around Hollywood Boulevard. Public access to the area near the Dolby Theatre remained limited. Fans found it even harder to see arriving celebrities that year because a tent was placed over the red carpet.

Academy officials did not explain the purpose of the covering, though it was likely installed when forecasters were still anticipating wetter conditions linked to El Niño that winter.

However, instead of rain, the National Weather Service later predicted a sunny Sunday afternoon with temperatures in the low 70s.

Another group absent from the area during the event was the collection of celebrity and character impersonators who typically gathered outside the landmark theaters along Hollywood Boulevard.

According to police officials, the costumed performers — often portraying popular superheroes and other characters — were barred from the area for a week leading up to the Oscars. Many of them temporarily moved their performances to other locations, including the Venice Beach Boardwalk or even Las Vegas.

A History of Tight Security at the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has long remained alert to a range of potential disruptions, from anti-war demonstrators to animal-rights activists.

The Dolby Theatre, which opened shortly after the September 11 attacks, was designed with enhanced safety features intended to withstand chemical attacks and even limited-scale bombings.

Heightened security has accompanied the Academy Awards on several occasions. In 2015, following atrocities carried out by the Islamic State overseas and the Charlie Hebdo shooting in France, authorities carried out one of their most advanced security operations for the ceremony.

Known as Operation Oscar, the effort relied on extensive high-tech equipment and a large deployment of law enforcement officers to safeguard the event.

The operation was coordinated from a sophisticated underground command center downtown, supported by a temporary command post at a Hollywood soundstage.

Led by a commander from the Los Angeles Police Department, the task force brought together nearly 1,000 officers from agencies including the FBI and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Security officials created several concentric security zones around the Hollywood and Highland area, each requiring stricter levels of clearance.

Authorities also carried out a block-by-block sweep of the surrounding neighborhood. By mid-afternoon, the network of streets near the Dolby Theatre had been tightly restricted, with sharpshooters stationed on rooftops and nearly 600 uniformed officers securing the perimeter.

Security measures were again strengthened in 2024 when police increased their presence during the ceremony amid concerns that demonstrations related to the Israel–Hamas war could disrupt the show.

No major incidents were reported during those events, and attendees have often looked to the Oscars' history of strict security measures as reassurance that the ceremony will continue to run safely.