In a Wednesday interview on Newsmax, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., suggested that unidentified drones hovering near the New Jersey coast could be of Iranian origin, citing confidential sources with top security clearance.
Appearing on "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Van Drew said: "Individuals who came to me have top security clearance. These are real people. These aren't some people sitting around a campfire in their backyard, looking up in the sky and making up stories. These are real serious players."
The congressman suggested the drones might be connected to a potential Iranian mothership, noting that Iran has technological capabilities and connections with China. "Iran does have a mothership, does have the technology. That mothership is [supposed to be] in Iran right now, and they don't know exactly where it is," Van Drew stated.
Addressing potential alternative explanations, Van Drew dismissed the possibility of the drones originating from U.S. government sources, private companies, or hobbyists. "Either these are from the United States government, which they deny and would be horrible if it was because it would mean that they're lying, or they're from a backyard hobbyist who obviously doesn't have this kind of technology and never could have drones this large," he said.
Van Drew emphasized the broader national security implications, arguing that despite significant defense spending — "almost $1 trillion a year" — the government has been unable to provide clear information about the drones' origin, capabilities, or purpose.
"We have a government here where we spend … almost $1 trillion a year. They can't tell us who they are, where they're from, what's in the drone, what the capabilities are," he said.
"We have to take them down and analyze what's going on," Van Drew added. "Even if the Iranian issue is not accurate, it speaks to a bigger issue that our defense is lacking."
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