Multiple unidentified drones were detected flying over Fort Lesley J McNair, a key US Army installation in Washington that houses country’s top security leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
According to the report, the drones were detected on a single night within the past ten days and their presence over such a sensitive military location prompted immediate concern among US officials, particularly as the origin and intent of the drones remain unknown.
The incident, reported by The Washington Post, has raised urgent security concerns at the highest levels of the US government as the US military is already on high alert due to ongoing strikes involving the US and Israel against Iran.
Possible Relocation Considered
The spotting of the mystery drones triggered an emergency meeting at the White House, where senior officials reviewed potential security threats and discussed contingency measures, including the possible relocation of both Rubio and Hegseth.
According to the Washington Post, US authorities weighed the option of moving the two top officials to undisclosed secure locations. However, as of the latest updates, neither Rubio nor Hegseth has been relocated, and their current movements remain undisclosed.
In the meantime, according to media reports, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to provide details about Hegseth’s whereabouts, citing security concerns.
“The department cannot comment on the secretary’s (Hegseth’s) movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible,” he told The Washington Post.
Heightened Alert Amid Global Tensions
The drone sightings come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East. US officials are reportedly considering the possibility of retaliation linked to recent developments in the region, including the killings of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib.
In response, the US military has raised the protection levels at several bases to FPCON Charlie, a high-level force protection condition designed to guard against potential terrorist threats. Additionally, a global security alert has been issued for US diplomatic missions worldwide.