Drone theft from a U.S. military base raises fears of a potential Iranian response
American media have reported that the U.S. military is investigating the theft of drones from one of its military bases, amid concerns that they could fall into the hands of individuals sympathetic to Iran and potentially be used to carry out an attack.
According to The Washington Post, the U.S. Army has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for stealing the drones from Fort Campbell base in Kentucky in November.
According to preliminary investigations, four Skydio X10D drones intended for military reconnaissance and surveillance missions disappeared. Each drone is valued at approximately $30,000 and is equipped with artificial intelligence technologies that enable it to avoid obstacles and transmit data through advanced communication networks.
The U.S. Army stated that the drones were last seen on the morning of November 21 inside a building belonging to the base’s engineering battalion. Unknown individuals reportedly managed to enter the facility and steal them sometime between November 21 and November 24.
Images released by investigators show two individuals suspected of involvement in the theft. They were wearing masks, gloves, and winter clothing. Two vehicles believed to have been used in the operation were also identified.
U.S. military authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. They have urged anyone with relevant information to contact the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division in an effort to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen drones.
On February 28, Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered a war whose repercussions have spread across the Middle East.
Leaders in Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to display defiance, vowing to press on with the fighting as the conflict approaches its third week, after already claiming hundreds of lives and shaking global financial markets.
On Wednesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned that Iran could potentially carry out drone attacks on the coasts of the United States, particularly the West Coast and California, according to ABC News.
The FBI stated that it had obtained information suggesting that Iran might be planning a surprise attack using drones launched from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coastline, noting that potential targets have not yet been identified.
In addition, U.S. intelligence agencies issued a series of confidential warnings last week to American companies and government institutions, urging them to remain vigilant and strengthen cybersecurity measures to protect potential targets from attacks by the Iranian regime in response to the war with Tehran, according to national security sources and documents reviewed by CNN.
