As tensions between the United States, Tension continues between Israel and Iran, the impact of which is being felt in California. Concerns have emerged over security surrounding the upcoming 98th Academy Awards ceremony following an alert about a possible Iranian drone attack in California, prompting organizers to beef up security for the star-studded event.
Oscars 2026 ceremony in danger?
The red carpet was rolled out in Hollywood on Wednesday as preparations got underway for the upcoming Host Conan O’Brien and media contingents are already at the grounds for the Oscars, cinema’s annual celebration. However, lavish preparations for Hollywood’s biggest night are coming amid security concerns after the FBI warned California law enforcement about the possibility of a retaliatory drone strike by Iran targeting the US West Coast.
The FBI notified law enforcement across California in recent days that Iran could potentially respond to U.S. military actions by launching drones toward the West Coast, according to an alert reported by ABC News.
in a statement to LA TimesLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said the department “continues to operate at a heightened level of readiness and is exercising an increased abundance of caution.” However, he did not comment on the memo.
On Wednesday, during a press conference about the upcoming 98th Oscars, executive producer Raj Kapoor addressed a question about attendee and guest safety.
Kapoor 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.”
He said, “This show should run like clockwork. But we want everyone who is coming to the show, who is watching the show, who is also a fan of the show, to feel safe, protected, and welcome when they are standing outside the barricades. We want everyone to feel safe, protected, and welcomed. It’s our job as a producing team to make sure that translates, and it really comes down to us with this very close relationship, and we have a whole team of support. It’s something that “We don’t take that lightly, and we take a lot of responsibility for it.”
according to Diversity Security has been increased while rolling the red carpet but it is not clearly visible. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had no comment.
This news has come amid increasing conflict between Iran, Israel and America. In February, the US and Israel launched a joint missile attack on Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliatory strikes, Iran targeted US bases in the Middle East as well as military bases in Israel. This led to the closure of airspace across the Gulf and the evacuation of all foreign tourists.
Since the attack on Iran by the US and Israel on February 28, the war has spread across the region, and casualties have been recorded in countries across the Middle East. The conflict has affected Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. Thirteen people have been killed in countries around the Gulf since the war began, seven of them civilians, including an 11-year-old girl from Kuwait.
More information about Oscars 2026
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will take place on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Comedian Conan O’Brien will return to host the awards ceremony.
When it comes to nominations, The Sinners leads the way with an astonishing 16 Oscar nominations, breaking the previous record of 14 held by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997) and La La Land (2016). The Sinners is up for best picture, starring actor Michael B. Jordan, supporting actress Wunmi Mosaku, supporting actor Delroy Lindo, director and original screenplay for Ryan Coogler, musical score, song I Lied to You. Cinematography, production design, costume design, sound, editing, makeup and hair, casting and visual effects.
It is followed by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another with 13 nominations. Other big films vying for multiple wins include Hamnet, Sentimental Value and Frankenstein.
Actress Priyanka Chopra will attend the awards ceremony as a presenter. Some of the other presenters at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony include Will Arnett, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Paul Mescal and Gwyneth Paltrow. Previously announced Oscar presenters include Adrien Brody, Javier Bardem, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Mickey Madison, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Maya Rudolph and Zoe Saldana.