Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew suggested that the drones were being launched from an Iranian "mothership" that was stationed off the East Coast.
REUTERSDECEMBER 11, 2024
(Illustrative) The non-existent Iranian "mothership" that Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew suggested exist.(photo credit: Canva, IRANIAN ARMY/WANA/REUTERS, SHUTTERSTOCK)
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that there was no evidence that drones that had been spotted over New Jersey were from a foreign entity or adversary and dismissed a claim by a US lawmaker that they were being launched from an Iranian "mothership."
Earlier in the day, Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew suggested that the drones were being launched from an Iranian "mothership" that was stationed off the East Coast.
"What we’ve uncovered is alarming—drones flying in from the direction of the ocean, possibly linked to a missing Iranian mothership," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Pentagon said there was no Iranian mothership.
"There is no truth to 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," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that there was no evidence that drones that had been spotted over New Jersey were from a foreign entity or adversary and dismissed a claim by a US lawmaker that they were being launched from an Iranian "mothership."
Earlier in the day, Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew suggested that the drones were being launched from an Iranian "mothership" that was stationed off the East Coast.
"What we’ve uncovered is alarming—drones flying in from the direction of the ocean, possibly linked to a missing Iranian mothership," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Pentagon said there was no Iranian mothership.
"There is no truth to 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," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
Republican US Rep. Jefferson (Jeff) Van Drew of New Jersey
(credit: US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
Source of the drones unknown
Singh said that the drones spotted were not from the US military either, and the issue was being investigated by local law enforcement.
Singh added that the military had not shot down any drones since they did not pose a threat to any military installations.
In an interview with Fox News, Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew claimed that the drones were being launched from an Iranian "mothership" that was stationed off the US East Coast.
At his weekly press conference, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about the lack of information about the drones.
"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 said.
At his weekly press conference, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about the lack of information about the drones.
"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 said.
Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious New Jersey drone flights, lawmaker says
By Bruce Shipkowski - Associated Press - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods, like helicopters and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off.
The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the spate of sightings that range from the New York City area through New Jersey, eastward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.
The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Ms. Fantasia wrote.
Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month and have raised growing concern among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility; and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.
Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once.
Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to threaten public safety. The FBI has been investigating and has asked residents to share any videos, photos or other information they may have.
Many municipal lawmakers have called for more restrictions on who is entitled to fly the unmanned devices. At least one state lawmaker proposed a temporary ban on drone flights in the state.
“This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated,” Mr. Murphy said earlier this week.
A spokesman for the Democratic governor said he did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Republican Assemblyman Erik Peterson, whose district includes parts of the state where the drones have been reported, said he also attended Wednesday’s meeting at a state police facility in West Trenton. The session lasted for about 90 minutes.
Mr. Peterson said DHS officials were generous with their time, but appeared dismissive of some concerns, saying not all the sightings reported have been confirmed to involve drones.
So who or what is behind the flying objects? Where are they coming from? What are they doing? “My understanding is they have no clue,” Mr. Peterson said.
A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Homeland Security.
Most of the drones have been spotted along coastal areas and some were recently reported flying over a large reservoir in Clinton. Sightings also have been reported in neighboring states.
James Edwards, of Succasunna, New Jersey, said he has seen a few drones flying over his neighborhood since last month.
“It raises concern mainly because there’s so much that’s unknown,” Mr. Edwards said Wednesday. “There are lots of people spouting off about various conspiracies that they believe are in play here, but that only adds fuel to the fire unnecessarily. We need to wait and see what is really happening here, not let fear of the unknown overtake us.”
By Bruce Shipkowski - Associated Press - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods, like helicopters and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off.
The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the spate of sightings that range from the New York City area through New Jersey, eastward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.
The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Ms. Fantasia wrote.
Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month and have raised growing concern among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility; and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.
Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once.
Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to threaten public safety. The FBI has been investigating and has asked residents to share any videos, photos or other information they may have.
Many municipal lawmakers have called for more restrictions on who is entitled to fly the unmanned devices. At least one state lawmaker proposed a temporary ban on drone flights in the state.
“This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated,” Mr. Murphy said earlier this week.
A spokesman for the Democratic governor said he did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Republican Assemblyman Erik Peterson, whose district includes parts of the state where the drones have been reported, said he also attended Wednesday’s meeting at a state police facility in West Trenton. The session lasted for about 90 minutes.
Mr. Peterson said DHS officials were generous with their time, but appeared dismissive of some concerns, saying not all the sightings reported have been confirmed to involve drones.
So who or what is behind the flying objects? Where are they coming from? What are they doing? “My understanding is they have no clue,” Mr. Peterson said.
A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Homeland Security.
Most of the drones have been spotted along coastal areas and some were recently reported flying over a large reservoir in Clinton. Sightings also have been reported in neighboring states.
James Edwards, of Succasunna, New Jersey, said he has seen a few drones flying over his neighborhood since last month.
“It raises concern mainly because there’s so much that’s unknown,” Mr. Edwards said Wednesday. “There are lots of people spouting off about various conspiracies that they believe are in play here, but that only adds fuel to the fire unnecessarily. We need to wait and see what is really happening here, not let fear of the unknown overtake us.”
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