Pentagon states mystery drones unrelated to Iranian ‘mothership’

The Pentagon has dismissed claims that mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey are linked to an Iranian “mothership” stationed off the US east coast. Recent weeks have seen a surge of unexplained drone activity in the state, including near sensitive military sites and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

New Jersey Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew suggested that the mysterious drones were connected to Iran. In an interview with Fox News, he claimed to have received information from reliable sources indicating that an Iranian vessel, described as a “mothership” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, was responsible for deploying the drones. Van Drew emphasized the seriousness of these claims, asserting that the mothership was actively launching drones over the eastern United States.

He also called for immediate action, advocating for the drones to be intercepted and neutralized. However, the Pentagon swiftly dismissed these assertions. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed the claims during a press briefing, firmly denying any connection to Iran. She stated that there was no evidence of an Iranian ship near the U.S. coast or of any drones being launched from such a vessel.

Singh further clarified that the Pentagon’s initial assessment suggests the drones are not linked to any foreign entity or adversary. The statement followed a series of unexplained drone incursions reported over US airbases in the United Kingdom just weeks earlier, raising concerns about the origin and intent of these unmanned aerial vehicles.

Since November 18, New Jersey has recorded dozens of drone sightings, with 49 incidents reported on Sunday alone, according to Governor Phil Murphy. Some of these sightings occurred near the Picatinny Arsenal, a key military research facility, as well as in the vicinity of Bedminster. Despite the frequency of the incidents, Murphy reassured the public that the drones do not appear to pose an immediate safety threat.

The FBI has launched an investigation but has yet to determine the source of the drones. Robert Wheeler Jr., Assistant Director of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, testified at a congressional hearing on Tuesday, stating, “I don’t have an answer of who’s responsible, but we’re actively investigating.”

Meanwhile, New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia expressed skepticism about the Pentagon’s dismissal of the Iranian link. She argued that labeling the drones as non-threatening was “incredibly misleading.” Briefed by the Department of Homeland Security, Fantasia described the drones as up to six feet in diameter, operating with lights off and in a coordinated manner, evading traditional detection methods like helicopters and radio signals.

While the drones are not believed to be recreational in nature, their origin and purpose remain unclear. In a related development, the US Air Force confirmed in late November that unidentified drones had been sighted over three American airbases in the United Kingdom: RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell. Defense sources suggested a “state actor” might be involved in those incursions, further fueling speculation about the broader drone phenomenon.

As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on determining the source of the drones and addressing potential security concerns. The mysterious nature of these sightings has drawn significant attention, raising questions about both domestic and international implications.