The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the Iran drone strikes in Israel on Saturday.
Officials say they’re paying close attention to any potential threats in L.A. as the conflict in the Middle East could lead to a larger war in the region.
“We are closely monitoring the conflict between Israel and Iran and working with our federal and regional partners to ensure the safety of our communities in L.A. County,” LAPD said in a statement. “As a precaution, we are increasing patrol checks around sensitive and religious sites and engaging with our community leaders to reassure them that the LASD is taking a proactive stance. Currently, there are no specific or credible threats to L.A. County.”
President Joe Biden issued a statement saying the U.S. will provide unspecified support for Israel’s defense in the Iran drone attack.
Iranian officials say they sent in the drone strikes in response to Israel’s military attacking what Iran calls diplomatic facilities in Damascus, the capital of Syria.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – APRIL 14, 2024: Explosions are seen in the skies of the capital, following the attack from Iran in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
GAZA CITY, GAZA – APRIL 14: Missiles are seen in the skies of Gaza City following the attack from Iran, in Gaza on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – APRIL 14: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – ISRAELI MINISTRY OF DEFENSE – ARIEL HERMONI / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (2nd R) attends the Israel’s war cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not seen), held to discuss the drone attack launched by Iran in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Israeli Ministry of Defense / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
TOPSHOT – Demonstrators wave Iran’s flag and Palestinian flags as they gather in front of the British Embassy in Tehran on April 14, 2024, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed early April 14, 2024 that a drone and missile attack was under way against Israel in retaliation for a deadly April 1 drone strike on its Damascus consulate. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)
There has been an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — were killed during a Hamas-backed attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Since then, Israeli forces have retaliated in Gaza, with at least 33,000 Palestinians killed during the military operations.
Tensions have been high locally in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. A 69-year-old Jewish man died following an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protestor in Thousand Oaks in November of last year.
Last week, a shouting match between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protestors almost turned violent in downtown Los Angeles.
