The 98th Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday have been warned about a potential Iranian drone attack after the FBI informed the state's law enforcement. This comes in following the US-Israel-Iran war, whose effects can target a high-profile gathering like the Oscars.
Hollywood is gearing up for its biggest night of the year, the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre. With the red carpet rolling out this week, the preparations have already begun. However, this year's Oscars are being organized under tightened security following a warning from the FBI.
According to ABC reports, the FBI informed California law enforcement about a potential Iranian drone attack as retaliation following the long US-Israel-Iran war. It warned the state law enforcement about Iran possibly launching drones as retribution for the 'Operation Epic Fury', which targeted Iran's military infrastructure. The report also mentions the drone attack could be targeted towards the West Coast of the United States of America.
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Speaking to the LA Times, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said the department will continue to operate at an “elevated level of readiness and is maintaining increased vigilance.
Executive Producer Raj Kapoor's Clarification
Raj Kapoor opened up on the security of a high-profile gathering like the Oscars and said, "I feel like on this show, we have one of the best teams in the business in all aspects, and that comes down to our security team. So, of course, 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."
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Additionally, during the press conference, he said, "This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody who is coming to this show, who is witnessing the show, who is even a fan of the show, when they're standing outside the barricades. We want everybody 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."
Based on the warning from the FBI to the California law enforcement, Variety confirms that security has been tightened up and is on high alert.
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