Oscars on drone alert

Iran attack threat ramps up ceremony security

- BY TOM BRYANT

SNIPERS will be on rooftops to protect stars at tonight's Oscars ceremony after the FBI exposed an Iranian drone attack plot.

Sharpshooters, armed with .50-calibre rifles, will surround Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.

The Swat teams will shoot down drones and be on alert for any sleeper agents activated for showbusiness's biggest night.

The ramping-up of security includes installing concrete barriers to stop vehicles being driven at speed and used as a weapon. There is a one-mile security cordon around the theatre and undercover, counter-terrorism and bomb squad units will be stationed throughout the area.

It comes after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran two weeks ago.