Security at tonight's Academy Awards has been dramatically increased, with snipers and anti-drone measures deployed after an FBI warning about potential Iranian attacks. Sharpshooters armed with .50-caliber rifles will be positioned on rooftops near the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, while SWAT teams stand ready to counter any drone threats, including those capable of carrying explosives.
Undercover officers and counterterrorism units from the LAPD, FBI and Homeland Security are stationed throughout the area, and bomb squads have been deployed. A one-mile security cordon is in place, and arriving celebrities are driven in a zig-zag pattern around concrete barriers to prevent vehicles from being used as weapons.
Oscars telecast executive producers Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor confirmed the heightened security. 'We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD,' Kapoor said. 'We want everybody to feel safe and protected.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it remains at an elevated level of readiness, monitoring threats including lone actors, sleeper cells and advanced technological threats.
The security measures follow an FBI memo warning of Iran's desire to conduct a surprise attack using drones from an unidentified vessel off the US coast, specifically against targets in California. Authorities stress there is no specific or credible threat tied to the Oscars, but vigilance is increased. Similar levels of security were implemented after the 9/11 attacks and the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
Tonight's ceremony is highly competitive, with Jessie Buckley the favourite for best actress, while the best actor category is wide open. Films 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' are frontrunners for best picture, the latter having gained momentum after a racism row at the BAFTAs.
