Velicovich has spent years publicly discussing precisely that evolution in warfare. His official website describes him as a former US special operations soldier and military intelligence specialist who was deeply involved in the early years of American drone operations in Afghanistan and later became a prominent commentator on the use of unmanned aircraft by both states and militant groups. The site also highlights his repeated media appearances discussing how drones could be deployed not just in conventional battle zones but by terrorists and other hostile actors. In one archived appearance highlighted on his site, he discussed methods by which the US could prevent ISIS from using drones in attacks. In another, he warned about the expanding accessibility of such technology.
That background helps explain why his comments have resonated beyond the eye-catching language of the headline. The warning he offered was not simply that Iran possesses drones, but that the barriers to using them asymmetrically are much lower than they were in earlier eras of conflict. Launching from a ship, whether crewed or uncrewed, would complicate detection and attribution. Using commercial navigation tools, satellite links and pre-programmed coordinates would further reduce the need for a large on-the-ground support network inside the United States. Even a failed attempt could prompt major disruption, particularly in a state as economically important and heavily populated as California.
The official response, however, has been deliberately cautious. Authorities have not identified any specific intended targets, have not said an operational plot was underway, and have emphasised that the intelligence described aspiration rather than a confirmed attack plan. ABC News, which also reviewed the bulletin, reported that the warning referred to what Iran had allegedly aspired to do in the event of US strikes, rather than announcing a known live operation. That distinction is significant in the language of intelligence and law enforcement, where agencies often circulate alerts to ensure local authorities are aware of potential methods or scenarios even when the available information is limited.
