(L) US Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) speaks at the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention held at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) / (R) Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory 10:35 AM – Thursday, December 12, 2024
A Republican congressman from New Jersey claimed on Wednesday that a supposed mothership stationed off the East Coast is the source of mysterious drones observed over New Jersey and New York, allegedly linked to Iran.
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Pentagon officials quickly disputed his claim, yet failed to provide any alternative explanation for the repeatedly reported sightings of unexplained drones in the vicinity of homes in both states.
Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) stated on Fox News that the drones “could potentially originate” from Iran, referencing unnamed sources for his claim.
“I’m telling you the truth. An Iranian mothership is responsible for launching these drones,” Van Drew asserted. “It’s positioned off the East Coast of the United States. They have deployed these drones.”
“These drones need to be targeted and shot down,” he continued, emphasizing that “the military is on high alert regarding this matter.”
The Pentagon later dismissed Van Drew’s comments, stating there’s “no proof” that the drones are operated by a foreign adversary, but provided no clarity on the reasons behind the sightings across New Jersey and New York.
In a subsequent defense, Van Drew wrote to President Biden urging action, claiming to possess “circumstantial evidence” that supports his hypothesis.
“We are aware that an Iranian sea-based drone mothership is currently unaccounted for, and its departure timeline coincides with the emergence of the New Jersey drones,” he informed the president in a letter obtained by Agudath Israel of America news.
He elaborated that Iran has developed “advanced” drone technology in partnership with China and has a history of deploying ships near U.S. waters.
“It is the Iranian government’s stated goal to diminish the United States. While I remain open to different possibilities, I have yet to encounter a credible explanation other than that Iran controls these drones,” wrote Van Drew.
Van Drew’s claims come amidst U.S. officials in the Biden administration reassuring citizens that drones do not pose a real threat, despite the FBI’s admission of uncertainty concerning their identity or possible motives. This week, FBI Director Christopher Wray resigned from his position.
Residents of New Jersey and parts of New York have observed these large drones’ peculiar light patterns and seemingly random movements during nighttime for weeks.
Reports indicate multiple objects have been spotted flying in formation, with new sightings emerging across various locations in New York.
New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia reported during a recent legislative briefing that the initial sightings occurred on November 18th and have continued nightly since.
Fantasia noted that the sightings have been consistently recorded from dawn to dusk, with as many as 180 reports sometimes filed in a single night. Last Sunday alone saw 49 reported sightings, primarily from New Jersey, but some from New York as well.
Furthermore, their technology appears quite advanced. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented that the drones “turn off their lights” when tracking efforts commence.
According to officials, the drones can move at a minimum speed of 15 miles per hour, have a diameter of about six feet, and can stay airborne for up to seven hours continuously.
“Stating that there’s no known or credible threat is extremely misleading, and I conveyed this sentiment to all officials,” Fantasia posted on X.
The U.S. Coast Guard appears to have the authority to intervene, while the FBI leads the investigation alongside the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. State Police, however, lack the capability to intercept the drones mid-air.
According to intelligence reports, Iran has entered a pact with China “to acquire drones, motherships, and related technology,” with the alleged mothership docking off the east coast “approximately a month ago,” as stated by Van Drew.
“We need to take them down,” insisted Van Drew. “Currently, they may be gathering intelligence. This poses an imminent danger to the United States and our elected officials, and this is a grave matter.”
Discussions surrounding the drones’ origins have generated various theories, including speculation about secret military technology operated by the U.S. government, potential Chinese espionage operations, or direct involvement by Iran.
After a briefing with state legislators on the topic, state Senator Doug Steinhardt (R-N.J.) expressed, “I want to believe, but,” referencing U.S. military officials’ claims that the drones are not American and not engaging in any undercover operations.
Nonetheless, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh reiterated that there is no evidence of Iranian involvement concerning the drones.
“There is no Iranian vessel off the U.S. coast, and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones towards the United States,” Singh stated.
It’s frustrating that the Pentagon continues to assert that they have no knowledge of who is operating the drones over New Jersey.
I suspect the Pentagon knows precisely who is responsible, but they aren’t being honest.
And if they genuinely don’t know, those officials should resign in embarrassment.… pic.twitter.com/48jM7jAuxw
