WANA (Dec 15) – Recently, unidentified drones have been spotted over New Jersey and surrounding areas. A U.S. congressman, Jeff Van Drew, has claimed that these drones might originate from an Iranian “mothership” stationed off the East Coast. He cites unnamed sources, which he describes as “credible,” suggesting that Iran might be orchestrating these drone flights.

 

In contrast, the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the FBI have outright dismissed these claims. They assert that there is no evidence of foreign involvement or an Iranian vessel behind these incidents.

 

Federal agencies have announced that no credible threat has been identified and confirmed there is no indication of an Iranian “mothership.” However, state and local authorities, while acknowledging the Pentagon’s position, remain frustrated with the lack of clarity and definitive answers about the identity and purpose of the drones’ operators.

 

Elon Musk’s Tweet Stirs Debate:

Musk posted an image from the Instagram page of fashion designer @forbiddenclothes, ensuring credit was clear by including the account’s name below the depiction of a UFO. The original post reads:

 

“The media wants you to believe that the mysterious drones flying over New Jersey are coming from an Iranian ‘mothership’ stationed off the East Coast. Yes, you read that right—a Hollywood-level plot, complete with UFOs and a foreign enemy. The story is framed to create fear and panic, potentially justifying unknown actions. Think about it: in a world dominated by surveillance and military superiority, we’re supposed to believe an Iranian ‘mothership’ has secretly reached U.S. waters and is deploying drones over New Jersey without detection? If this doesn’t scream ‘psy-op for TV,’ what does? Always question the narrative.”

Musk’s tweet used humor to highlight the absurdity of the situation, sharing an illustration of a UFO piloted by Iran’s religious leader. Through this satirical lens, Musk critiqued the narrative’s credibility while amplifying the underlying message. His sarcasm turned the spotlight on something the propagators of such stories dread most: the power of mockery.

 

A Familiar Playbook: Creating Imaginary Enemies

From “Iraq’s WMDs” to this Iranian “mothership,” the goal is consistent: foster fear, and through fear, gain control. Fear manipulates the public into supporting anything—war, new restrictions, or heightened military spending.

 

In today’s information era, the truth isn’t always what governments say. Often, it’s what the people share—frequently wrapped in humor. Creating dubious stories without substantial proof raises the critical question: if a government resorts to crafting fantastical narratives instead of providing clear answers, why should it still be trusted?

 

Iran’s Silence Speaks Volumes

So far, Iranian officials have not commented on the story. Their silence suggests the claim is so baseless and trivial that it doesn’t warrant an official response.

 

Meanwhile, Iranian social media users have reacted with humor. One commented with a laughing emoji: “The nightmare of Iranian drones haunting the heart of America and its leaders!”

 

Another remarked: “The bigger the lie, the harder it is to believe. The Islamic Republic has no need for such antics. Maybe China’s behind it, trying to spook the U.S., but definitely not Iran.”

 

In sum, while the narrative may have sparked brief intrigue or fear, it has largely turned into a topic of satire among both Iranian and global audiences.