Unidentified drones spotted flying over New Jersey and later in New York continue to capture national attention. Governors from both states have called for investigations into the recent surge of "mysterious" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in their skies.
On Monday night, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a temporary closure of runways occurred at Stewart International Airport, located about 100 kilometers north of New York City, after drones were observed in the area. The closure lasted roughly an hour.
According to the FAA, the first sightings of these mysterious drones in New Jersey were reported on November 18, over Morris and Somerset counties. Witnesses described the drones as being about the size of a bicycle or a small car.
Concerns were further raised after drones were spotted near a golf course in New Jersey, prompting local authorities to restrict air traffic in the region. Even President-elect Donald Trump expressed unease over the sightings, as authorities took precautionary measures due to potential security threats.
While images of these "mysterious drones" have sparked public debate on social media, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated this week that there is no evidence linking the drones to any direct security threat in the U.S. “New Jersey poses no security risk,” Kirby assured.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also dismissed rumors that the drones had been launched from an Iranian vessel near the U.S. East Coast, calling the claims "unfounded."
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