Rep. Jeff Van Drew made a stunning claim that Iran is behind the mysterious drones flying over northern New Jersey as the FBI searches for answers.
The Republican lawmaker from New Jersey told Fox News that Iran launched a “mothership” containing the drones off its coast about a month ago.
“These come from high sources,” he claimed. “I don’t say this lightly.” He added that they should be “shot down.”
However, the Pentagon said on Wednesday that there is no evidence that the drones are the work of an adversary and said there is no truth that an Iranian ship is off the coast of the US.
“There is no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones toward the United States,” said Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary.
The FBI has been investigating the mysterious sightings as witnesses have noted them on numerous occasions.
People have been seeing the unexplained cluster of what appears to be drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft flying near sensitive locations including military installations for several weeks, raising concerns.
While the Newark FBI and local partners are investigating, they have not been able to determine if this is the work of one person or group.
A top FBI official said they don’t know if there is any reason to believe Americans are in danger and that is concerning.
One of the reported drones, whose engines can be heard roaring from the ground, appeared to have a cluster of white lights on its underbelly, while red lights flashed on its wingtips and tail (above)
Members of the House of Representatives held a hearing Tuesday focused on the threats unmanned aerial systems pose to the U.S.
“Are you telling me we don’t know what these drones are in New Jersey?” asked Congressman Tony Gonzales.
“That’s right,” replied Robert Wheeler, the FBI’s deputy director of the Critical Incident Response Group.
‘That’s crazy! I mean, that’s insane,” the Texas congressman pushed back.
“It’s madness that we don’t know what these drones are,” he added.
Gonzales argued that not knowing what’s flying in U.S. airspace is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come, and warned that it must be resolved.
Wheeler said they don’t know exactly what type of drones the reported drones are, but he noted that some are believed to be larger than commercially available drones.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (RN.J.) claimed on Fox News that Iran launched a “mothership” with the drones after the FBI told lawmakers at a hearing that it had no information about who was behind the mysterious sightings. The Pentagon said there is no “Iranian mothership” off the coast launching drones
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) speaks during a hearing on unmanned aerial systems, where he called the FBI not having more information about the mysterious drones over New Jersey “madness”
When asked how much the budget is for the FBI’s counter-drone technology, Wheeler revealed it was less than $500,000.
‘No wonder we don’t know what’s going on. $500,000?’ Gonzales responded.
One of the challenges is obtaining the authority to shoot down the drones. Lawmakers urged officials to shoot one to investigate further.
The FBI has reviewed more than 3,000 tips from the public. There have also been sightings from New York.
According to a NJ local, this image shows approximately nine of the unidentified drones flying into New Jersey from the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday evening, December 5.
The FBI has warned that it has seen a worrying increase in the use of drones to commit crimes and overfly sensitive facilities.
On Sunday alone, there were 49 reported sightings, according to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
He noted that some are likely repeat reports, but he doesn’t blame people for being frustrated.
“We don’t see any concern for public safety,” Murphy said. “That said, it’s very frustrating that we don’t have more answers as to where they come from and why they do what they do.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said they are taking the drone investigation “deadly seriously.”
Murphy said he has been in contact with the FBI and Homeland Security and encouraged people to continue reporting sightings to the FBI.
He described the drones as “very advanced.”
“As soon as you see them, they turn dark,” Murphy said.
“We are obviously most concerned about sensitive targets and sensitive critical infrastructure,” he added.
Murphy noted that military facilities, utilities and newly elected President Donald Trump’s home in New Jersey are all nearby.
“This is something we take deadly seriously,” he said.