MUST WATCH: A crazy theory about who is really behind the drones over US skies

Mysterious flying objects spotted over critical infrastructure and residential areas in at least eight states have triggered widespread concern and confusion, prompting federal authorities to launch investigations while urging calm.

The unexplained aircraft have been reported hovering near sensitive locations including New York's Stewart International Airport, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and Trump's Bedminster golf course, forcing temporary airspace restrictions in some areas.

"I want to assure the American public that we are on it," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABC's "This Week," while New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared "This has gone too far."

The sightings, which began November 18 in New Jersey, have been reported across New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, California and Ohio. Some witnesses describe seeing drones flying in coordinated patterns and remaining airborne for up to six hours.

Here is a timeline of the current drone situation/crisis, as reported by CNN:

While federal officials insist there's "no evidence" of a national security threat, local authorities paint a more concerning picture. Military personnel reported drone sightings at both Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, with operators still unidentified.

"We don't know if it's malicious, if it is criminal. But I will tell you that it is – it is irresponsible," a Department of Defense official said, contradicting FBI claims that most sightings are "mistaken identity" of legal aircraft.

Here's what Republican New Jersey Rep Jeff van Drew said on Fox News:

"I'm going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mothership, probably about a month ago, that contains these drones ... it's off the east coast of the United States of America. They've launched drones is everything that we can see or hear and again.

We know it's not our own government because they would have let us know. It could have been some really glorified hobbyist or hobbyist that we're doing something unbelievable. They don't have the technology, but let's pretend that's possible. The third possibility was somebody in an adversarial country doing this."

Five days ago, though, the Pentagon debunked this claim, stating "There is not any truth to that" and "there's no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States."

The incidents have prompted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call for deployment of special 360-degree drone detection systems, while some, including former President Trump, have suggested more dramatic action: "shoot them down!"

Federal officials warn against such measures, calling them "beyond risky" and potentially dangerous to people on the ground.

The mystery deepens as investigations continue, with the FBI reviewing over 5,000 tips - though fewer than 100 have warranted serious investigation. Meanwhile, local law enforcement has been advised to treat any downed drones with extreme caution, with some departments told to call bomb squads and wear hazmat suits if they encounter one.

CNN contributed to this article.