One of the most anticipated events in Hollywood is set to kick off this Sunday in Hollywood, as some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry are set to attend the 98th Academy Awards. The FBI has recently revealed a report which claims Iran was planning to target the event with a retaliatory attack by “unmanned aerial vehicles.” Given the nature of the event, security measures are always a priority for the security team at the Dolby Theatre, with the area surrounding the theater and red carpet already earning tremendous efforts to protect attendees.
Deadline shared the report sent out to law enforcement, which reads:
“We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran … We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”
The veracity of these claims is currently unknown, though with the FBI getting involved, there must have been significant evidence of such a planned attack. A source shared with the outlet that “there’s what we usually do, and now we’ve cranked it up to 11” and that “there is a lot in place and a lot you’ll never see.”
Conan O’Brien returns as host for this year’s Oscars after scoring an impressive reaction at the 97th celebration, and this year’s event will see the new category Best Achievement in Casting. Compared to a host like Jimmy Kimmel, who regularly makes political jokes during hosting events, O’Brien’s approach leans into the absurdity of Hollywood over politics. While Kimmel has regularly taken jabs at Donald Trump, O’Brien was a bit more restrained in such remarks, with it being unlikely O’Brien will make many mentions of the current political climate.
During a press conference earlier today, Oscars executive producer Raj Kapoor addressed concerns about guest and attendee safety, per Variety, in which he assured:
“We want everybody who is coming to this show, who is witnessing the show, who is even a fan of the show, when they’re standing outside the barricades. We want everybody to feel safe, protected, and welcome. It’s our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates, and that really comes down to us with this very tight relationship, and we have a whole other team of support. It’s something that we don’t take lightly and we take a lot of responsibility for.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom similarly addressed reports of Iran’s potential retaliation for American military actions during an unrelated press conference:
“I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at the California Office of Emergency Services, to monitor potential threats to California — including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East … While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared for any emergency in our state.”
The 98th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 15 and will be broadcast live on ABC and Hulu at 7 P.M. ET.
- Location
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Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA, US
- Dates
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March 15, 2026
Hollywood’s biggest night gathers the film industry for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual celebration of screen excellence, where winners take home the gold statuette known as the Oscar. The ceremony spotlights top honors like Best Picture and acting prizes alongside below-the-line crafts that shape a movie’s look and sound. Between red carpet spectacle, speeches, and surprises, the show often sets the tone for how the year in film gets remembered.
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