The Pentagon firmly rejected claims of an Iranian "mothership" allegedly responsible for mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey, as state officials demand answers about the unexplained aerial activity that has sparked widespread concern.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated Wednesday there is "no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States" and no evidence of foreign involvement in the drone sightings that have puzzled residents and authorities since mid-November.
The statement came in response to allegations by New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, who claimed during a House Transportation Committee hearing that "circumstantial evidence" pointed to an Iranian vessel launching drone incursions from off the East Coast. Van Drew cited unnamed "reputable" sources but provided no concrete evidence.
Meanwhile, New Jersey officials expressed frustration with the federal response following a closed-door meeting at State Police headquarters. State Senator Holly Schepisi called the Department of Homeland Security's response "abysmal," while Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali noted the drones' origins and destinations remain unknown despite their presence over critical infrastructure.
The FBI, leading the investigation, continues to gather information about the sightings, which range from 4 to 180 reports per night according to state officials. The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed flight restrictions over sensitive areas, including Picatinny Arsenal and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
Coast Guard officials confirmed observing "multiple low-altitude aircraft" near Island Beach State Park, while Governor Phil Murphy reported 49 drone sightings on a single Sunday, predominantly in Hunterdon County.
Several New Jersey representatives, including Chris Smith and Josh Gottheimer, have called for greater federal involvement and transparency. Senator Cory Booker urged homeland security officials to share relevant information with the public to prevent the spread of rumors and fear.
The White House confirmed President Biden has been briefed on the situation and is coordinating with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security as investigations continue.
Note: After reviewing the provided links, I found no contextually appropriate places to insert them as they discuss different topics (Russia-Ukraine conflict and F-16 deliveries) that are not directly related to the article about drone sightings in New Jersey.