Oscars issue statement on increased security as FBI warn California over 'surprise Iran attack'

The FBI yesterday, 11 March, issued a warning to California over a potential surprise attack from Iran, with the Academy Awards becoming the latest organisation to announce increased security due to the threats.

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has continued to escalate in recent days, with the Middle-Eastern country blocking the Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented move that experts have warned could ‘bring down the global economy’.

California have since received a warning from the FBI that law enforcement should be on ‘high alert’, with a document acquired by ABC News warning of a potential surprise attack Iran had been planning using ‘unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland’.

The FBI sent California a warning over a possible Iran attack (DustyPixel via Getty Images)

It went on to state this was ‘specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.'

With the Oscars taking place this coming Sunday, 15 March, in California the awards ceremony has stepped up their security massively for the day.

A producer for the Oscars has released a statement on the increased security measures

The Oscars has upped their security (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Raj Kapoor, an Oscars telecast producer, issued a statement following the FBI’s warning to assure people of the measures being taken.

He said: “We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it’s a close collaboration. 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, 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.”

The measures being taken by the Oscars this year represent a major escalation in security for the event.

The Oscars will have over 1,000 private security guards as well as SWAT and drones

The LAPD announced yesterday, 11 March, that there would be over 1,000 private seucirty officer on duty, as well as uniformed officers.

In addition to this they will be using surveillance cameras, drones, SWAT units, and bomb-sniffing dogs to keep the venue safe.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s department provided a statement on the news to The Hollywood Reporter, saying: “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.

The Oscars has far more security this year (Dan MacMedan/WireImage)

“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.”