‘Iranian mothership’ behind mystery drone sightings, New Jersey congressman suggests
As the mystery surrounding numerous sightings of drones in New Jersey and parts of the Philadelphia area continue, a New Jersey congressman says there is ‘circumstantial evidence’ suggesting the drones could be the work of a foreign adversary.
Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, spoke on the recent drone sightings during an interview with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner.
During his appearance, Van Drew cited ‘very high sources’ saying that Iran had "launched a mothership probably about a month ago."
He added that the mothership carries the drones in question and that it’s stationed off the East Coast of the United States.
Van Drew admitted there was a possibility the drones could have belonged to a hobbyist, or hobbyists, but doubted that they would have the technology.
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"We know there was a probability it could have been our own government," Van Drew added. "We know it’s not our own government, because they would have let us know."
During his interview with Fox, Van Drew stated that Iran had ‘made a deal’ with China to purchase ‘drones, motherships, and technology in order to go forward.’
Van Drew said he could not identify his sources, as they were speaking with him in confidentiality.
"These drones should be shot down," Van Drew added. "Whether it was some crazy hobbyist that we can’t imagine, or whether it is Iran – and I think it very possibly could be – they should be shot down."
He also added that the U.S. military was ‘on alert’ as the investigation continues.
The congressman shared video of his interview on X, formerly Twitter.
"What we’ve uncovered is alarming—drones flying in from the direction of the ocean, possibly linked to a missing Iranian mothership. This is a national security crisis we cannot ignore. Bring them down now," he wrote.
Department of Defense responds to ‘mothership’ claim
During a press briefing held Wednesday, the Department of Defense denied that a so-called ‘mothership’ was launching drones towards the United States.
"At this time we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or are the work of an adversary," Deputy Defense Secretary Sabrina Singh said Wednesday. "We’re going to continue to monitor what is happening."
When asked specifically about Van Drew’s statement about an Iranian mothership, Singh said there was ‘not any truth’ to that claim.
"There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there is no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States." she said.
When asked for a statement on Van Drew's claim, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's office referred directly to Singh's comments on the matter.
Rep. Van Drew pens letter to President Biden on drones
Van Drew doubled down on his concern about the potential that a foreign adversary was behind the recent drone sightings in a letter to President Joe Biden.
In it, Van Drew called for President Biden to ‘act swiftly.’ He also went on to detail some of the circumstantial evidence he referenced in his earlier interview.
The letter claims the Coast Guard has observed drones coming into New Jersey from the Atlantic Ocean and that a sea-based Iranian mothership is currently missing from port. Van Drew's letter states that the timeline for when that ship left port would align with when the sightings began.
"We know that Iran has both the motive and the capability to execute such an operation. They have in the past brought vessels in proximity of the United States, and Iran has a sophisticated drone production partnership with China," Van Drew wrote. "And of course, it is the policy of the Iranian government to bring about the destruction of the United States of America. While I remain open to alternate explanations, I have not been presented a single credible, cohesive narrative except for that Iran is controlling these drones from offshore."
Van Drew went on to propose flight restrictions over New Jersey airspace and an order be given to neutralize any drone aircraft in violation of those restrictions.
"In neutralizing these drones we must ensure the safety of people on ground and should also attempt to keep the drones intact so that we may study their capabilities," the letter concludes.
Latest on the New Jersey drone investigation
The FBI has joined local authorities in investigating a series of sightings over parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania in recent weeks.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has said the drones don’t appear to pose a public safety concern.
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Murphy noted there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday, mostly in Hunterdon County. The Democratic governor said those numbers included possible sightings and potentially the same drone being reported more than once.
"This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated," Murphy said.
It’s unclear who is piloting the drones and why, but federal and state officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no known threat to public safety.