Heightened security plans for 2026 Oscars amid war with Iran

Heightened security plans for 2026 Oscars amid war with Iran

The glitz and glamour ofTinseltownwill be on full display at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, where the98th Academy Awardsare being held, but behind the scenes, there have also been intense preparations to ensure the high-profile event goes off without a hitch.

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Theiconic awards showis taking place this year amid the ongoingconflict in Iran, and the Los Angeles Police Department is in charge of securing the event with assistance from the FBI.

LAPD sources tell ABC News that security has become incredibly tight at the Oscars in recent years, and this year, between private security and LAPD resources, it will be even tighter.

Mike Blake/Reuters - PHOTO: Workers prepare the red carpet arrivals area outside the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, March 10, 2026.

This year's ceremony comes just two weeks after President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations"against Iran, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes targeting military and government sites in the country. Iran has responded to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations.

LAPD Cmdr. Randy Goddard, the incident commander for the Oscars, said in aninterviewThursday with Los Angeles ABC station KABC-TV that there is currently no intelligence that suggests the Oscars or Los Angeles are targets, but the department is still preparing for every scenario.

"We've planned for other things that we maybe haven't seen in prior years, but we have resources that will be on scene to address those unique circumstances that may occur so that they can be addressed quickly and prevent anything from growing out of control," Goddard said.

The LAPD said in a separate statement Thursday that planning for the security around Sunday night's ceremony has been "extensive and coordinated."

"This year's security planning has been extensive and coordinated across multiple LAPD divisions, supported by local, state, and federal agencies. Our preparations include layered security perimeters, traffic management plans, and a highly visible police presence throughout the Hollywood area," the statement read.

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It continued, "These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy developed months in advance to anticipate challenges, support event operations, and maintain the safety of everyone participating in or visiting the Oscars. We encourage attendees and community members to follow posted advisories, remain aware of their surroundings, and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The LAPD remains committed to ensuring that this iconic event is enjoyed safely by all."

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A worker rides a lift as preparations are made on the carpet arrivals area ahead of the 98th Annual Academy Awards outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 12, 2026.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News that intelligence will play a major role in guiding the police response at Sunday's ceremony.

Responses to potential threats have been mapped out, ranging from protests blocking traffic to something more sinister like an attack. Police K-9s on the ground, undercover officers, SWAT teams, drones, and sharpshooters are typically part of the LAPD's security posture for the Oscars, according to law enforcement sources.

The Oscar security response will be run out of a command center at an undisclosed location, utilizing high-tech software systems to monitor and analyze everything from cameras to social media for potential threats, law enforcement sources said.

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While motorcycle and traffic officers keep celebrity drop-offs moving, other officers will be scanning the area for threats from the ground, rooftops, and the air, the sources said.

The FBI said it will be assisting with security, telling ABC News in a statement, "The FBI routinely works with our local law enforcement partners responsible for security at special events in and around Los Angeles, including the Academy Awards, in order to share intelligence and provide resources where needed."

Oscars executive producer Raj Kapoor told reporters in a March 11 press conference that the show's producers are also closely monitoring security.

"Every year we monitor what's going on in the world," Kapoor said. "We have the support of the FBI and the LAPD, and it's a close collaboration."

 

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