The 2026 Oscars have been placed on high alert following the FBI’s warning about a potential “surprise attack” from Iran.
This year’s Oscars ceremony is due to take place on Sunday evening in Los Angeles, and is expected to be attended by an array of Hollywood A-listers including Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman.
According to an alert reported by ABC News, the FBI notified law enforcement across California in recent days that Iran could potentially retaliate for American military actions by launching drones toward the West Coast.
“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,” Oscars telecast producer Raj Kapoor said in a statement to journalists.
“We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it’s a close collaboration,” Kapoor said. “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.”
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said that it was at an “elevated level of vigilance” to threats that could include “lone actors” and “sleeper cells”.
“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. 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.”
According to Variety sources at the red carpet rollout, security has been increased but is not overtly visible.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a coordinated military attack on Iran, leading to the assassination of its leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran, in retaliation, targeted American bases across the Middle East as well as military targets in Israel, leading to the closure of airspace across Gulf countries.
The US and Israeli bombing campaign has killed civilians and destroyed homes and public buildings, triggering unrest in the Gulf countries and other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, leading the pack is “Sinners” with 16 nominations, making it the most nominated movie in Oscars history.
