NEW JERSEY — The Pentagon said there is no truth to the claim made by New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew that the mysterious drones spotted in his state’s skies are connected to Iran and originated from a “mothership” off the coast of the Eastern seaboard.
“There is not any truth to that,” deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said during a briefing on Wednesday. "There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there is no so-called 'mothership' launching drones to the United States."
Singh added the Defense Department’s “initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities that are coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”
Van Drew, a Republican, made the claims on Fox News on Wednesday, citing “very high sources, very qualified sources, very responsible sources.” He claimed the “mothership” was operating off the East Coast and called for the drones to be shot down. His congressional office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Pentagon’s denial of his claims.
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.
The drones 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 six 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, westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.
“This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated," 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.
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,” 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.