The Pentagon has firmly rejected claims by a U.S. lawmaker that Iran might be launching drones over New Jersey from a “mothership” off the East Coast, addressing growing concerns about mysterious drone sightings in the region, reports Reuters.
“There is no truth to that,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated definitively on Wednesday, adding that “there is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones towards the United States.”
Recent Drone Activity and Investigations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it began receiving reports of drone activity near Morris County, New Jersey, on Monday, November 18. In response, the agency has prohibited drone flights over specific locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
The FBI and New Jersey State Police have been actively investigating the situation, requesting public assistance in reporting drone sightings along the Raritan River. “Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft. We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks,” according to FBI statements.
Pentagon’s Assessment
The Defense Department’s initial assessment indicates the drones are not of foreign origin. Singh emphasized, “We have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary.” The Pentagon noted that no military action was taken against the drones as they posed no threat to military installations.
Broader Security Implications
The incident has highlighted growing concerns about drone proliferation and security vulnerabilities. These unmanned aircraft can potentially carry surveillance equipment or explosives, raising significant security considerations for critical infrastructure and sensitive locations.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called for increased transparency from law enforcement authorities regarding the investigation. “We need a greater degree of transparency from law enforcement authorities and we will make sure that happens in the days and weeks to come,” Jeffries stated at a press conference.
The situation continues to develop as authorities work to identify the source and nature of these mysterious drone activities while maintaining public safety and security.
