United Kingdom, March 13 -- Conan O'Brien is preparing to host the Academy Awards in Los Angeles amid heightened security concerns after intelligence warnings suggested Iran may have explored launching drones towards the US west coast while the ceremony unfolds.

The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on Sunday (1503.26) at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, with Conan, 62, hosting the ceremony attended by leading nominees including Jessie Buckley and Timothee Chalamet.

Variety recently reported security is on a heightened alert after the FBI warned California law enforcement about the possibility of a retaliatory drone attack by Iran targeting the West Coast.

A private security contractor who works with several A-list celebriti...