The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams

Episode: Is Iran Planning Strikes on U.S. Soil?
Date: March 13, 2026

Episode Overview

Former CIA Targeter Sarah Adams unpacks a recent, viral ABC News report alleging that Iran was planning drone strikes against the U.S. West Coast. She walks listeners through the facts, exposes weaknesses in the reporting, and clarifies what is actually known about Iranian threats on U.S. soil. With her trademark bluntness and insider expertise, Adams provides real-world context on how such threats emerge and why credible, honest communication about evolving dangers matters so much.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dissecting the ABC News Drone Strike Report

[00:30 – 12:54]

• Origin of the News & Immediate Reaction:

  • Sarah details how ABC's story claimed the FBI had warned California police that Iranian retaliation for U.S. attacks could come as offensive drone strikes.
  • Adams found the story suspect:
    • “What ABC had put out is that the Iranians were going to take drones and then shoot them off ships off the west coast and into California. When you actually then go figure out where they got this information from... it’s very interesting that they put this out at all.” [03:46]
  • Explains that Iranian “sleeper cells” are historically focused on targeted surveillances and assassinations, not mass-casualty terrorism on U.S. soil.
  • “Many of them are doing logistics, fundraising, intelligence collection... they haven’t been plotting these massive terrorist attacks... especially in the last five years on US soil.” [02:13]
  • Iranian targeting has typically been aimed at specific individuals (e.g., former President Trump, Mike Pompeo, John Bolton) and activists, not broad attacks.

• Problems with the Source and How It Spread:

  • Law enforcement memo cited by ABC was marked as “not for dissemination” and based on “raw” and “unverified” information.
    • “How can a press outlet run with, first off, a single source report, but second, the fact that says it’s not ready and may be revised?” [04:36]
  • Tip was not based on an ongoing, approved plot, but rather early-stage “thinking.”
    • “They’re only discussing it and thinking about it... they haven’t put a plot in place, sent it up, got it approved, recruited operatives...” [12:10]
  • Timeline in story was shaky; the raw tip came before the U.S. strikes ABC said were the reason for Iranian “retaliation.”
    • “This raw information went to the FBI before we even did the bombing.” [06:25]

• Administration Response & Media Ethics:

  • White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt demanded a retraction, accusing ABC News of intentionally alarming Americans:
    • “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists and it never did.” [07:52]
  • Adams presses that mainstream media must prioritize truth, not sensationalism:
    • “We do not need to make up any [plots] ... making up plots just to get attention and likes and views is the wrong thing to do.” [11:21]

2. How Iranian Threats in America Really Work

[12:55 – 16:55]

• What the Real Threat Looks Like:

  • Most Iranian plotting in the U.S. involves surveillance and targeting of individuals hostile to the regime. Sleeper cells focus on intelligence, logistics, and sometimes assassination plans, not mass strikes.
  • The kind of “future warfare” scenario involving drones is real and must be prepared for, but Adams stresses the need for sober, evidence-based assessments:
    • “At the end of the day, the future of warfare are drones... But right now, we need to base ourselves in reality and deal with the problems in front of us.” [12:50]

• Where Retaliation is Actually Occurring:

  • Iranian plots against the U.S. are more likely to play out in cyberattacks, as in a recent incident at a Michigan medical supply maker.
    • “We’re going to see a lot of that type of event.” [16:10]

• Iranians at Risk in America:

  • Regime dissidents and Iranian-American activists are the most likely targets, not the general public.

3. The Evolving Terror Threat in the U.S.

[16:56 – 22:03]

• Wider Terrorist Activity Post-2022:

  • “Islamic Resistance Council” or “Islamic Army” coordinates across major groups (Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Boko Haram, Lashkar-e-Taiba, more) and operate globally.
  • Since the U.S. border policy shift in 2022, Adams says, America has seen a marked increase in suspected terrorists from various groups entering the country—many claims numbers in thousands.
    • “This is a lot of different terrorist groups, a lot of different reporting structures, and an increased threat level that did not start the day we struck Iran. It started the day we opened our borders in 2022 and said, anyone can walk across the border and come in.” [19:08]

• Inter-Group Coordination:

  • Adams describes behind-the-scenes cooperation:
    • “All these groups are starting to have discussions and work together now. That’s overseas. Think about the fact that they’re here on our soil.” [18:10]

• Homegrown & Naturalized Threats:

  • Not all threats are from people who entered illegally; cites example of Mohammad Jalal, a naturalized U.S. university student from Sierra Leone, member of ISIS West Africa, who attacked after early release from prison.
    • “Now, it’s not like when he gets out of prison, he no longer is a member of isis. He’s now more kind of invigorated...” [21:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media Caution:

  • “We can’t just take hopes and dreams of terrorists and put them out there and cause all this fear... you need evidence and then you need a real plot.” [12:35]
  • “You need to be very wary of anyone who lies. And in some way, it could maybe help the terrorists. We’re going to call this out whenever we see it.” [22:31]

• Advice to the Public:

  • “We have to do our best to collect evidence, see how their plots are forming... and make the best assessments. And then as a public, we want you to be aware, to pay attention. If you notice something, you know, and you see it, you say something about it, right? We’re all going to be in this together.” [22:54]

• The Attitude Going Forward:

  • “We’re not going to live in fear because of these terrorists. They need to fear us.” [23:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30] – Opening criticism of ABC report and breakdown of how the claim started
• [02:13] – Differences between Iranian sleeper cell activities and large-scale attacks
• [04:36] – How raw, unverified law enforcement tips spread in the media
• [07:52] – White House Press Secretary’s response to ABC News
• [12:10] – Explaining the difference between “thinking” and a real, approved plot
• [12:50] – The future of warfare and realistic Iranian threats
• [16:10] – Iranian cyberattack example (Michigan medical supplier)
• [18:10] – Terrorist inter-group coordination and council
• [19:08] – Influx of suspected terrorists after 2022 border reversal
• [21:10] – Example of a naturalized U.S. terrorist returning to attacks
• [22:54] – Advice for public vigilance and community responsibility

Conclusion

Sarah Adams debunks the viral ABC News drone strike story as irresponsible and dangerously misleading, drawing a sober distinction between plausible, evidence-backed threats and sensationalized speculation. She encourages vigilance, honesty, and preparation—without unnecessary panic—while emphasizing that while Iranian retaliation and terrorist threats are real issues, the media and officials must base warnings on facts, not hypotheticals. The episode closes on a defiant, community-minded note: “We’re not going to live in fear because of these terrorists. They need to fear us.” [23:27]