Pentagon Confirms No Iranian Drone Carrier Off United States Coast

US Marine air patrols above the Pentagon. (Wikimedia Commons/US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Brian R. Domzalski)

JAKARTA - The United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) confirmed that no drones were launched from the aircraft carrier off the country's east coast, as a US lawmaker claimed on Wednesday.

"There is no truth in that," Pentagon spokesman Sabrina Singh said.

"There are no Iranian ships off the coast of the United States and no such thing as 'vehicles' launching drones towards the United States," he explained.

Earlier, Republican congressman Jeff Van Drew, whose district in New Jersey includes Atlantic City, said he had revealed what appeared to be Iran's plans.

"What we found was worrying that the drone was flying from the sea, possibly related to Iran's lost aircraft carrier," he said on social media platform X.

The lawmaker also made a claim on Fox News.

Separately, the US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) said it began receiving reports of drone activity near Morris County, New Jersey, on Monday, November 18. The FAA has banned drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.

Last week, the FBI and the New Jersey State Police asked the public to report any information related to the latest sightings of possible drone flying in several areas along the Raritan River.

"Witnesses have seen a group of drones and possible fixed-wing aircraft. We have received reports from the public and law enforcement since a few weeks ago," the FBI said.

The Pentagon said preliminary assessments showed the drone was not from other countries and the US military did not shoot down the plane because it did not pose a threat to any military installation.

"We have no evidence of this activity originating from foreign entities or enemy work," Singh explained.

"We will continue to monitor what happened. However, you know, none of our installations were threatened when this activity occurred," he added.

However, the appearance of the latest drone is a reminder of growing concerns about the proliferation of drone technology and potential security considerations, considering drones can carry surveillance technology or even explosives.

At a press conference, DPR Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about a lack of information about the drone.

"We need a higher level of transparency from law enforcement authorities and we will make sure that happens in the coming days and weeks," Jeffries said.