Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush praised President Donald Trump for his efforts in crippling the Iranian regime, but warned that Cuba is now believed to have hundreds of explosive drones from Tehran.
Bush made the statement at a United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) event on Wednesday, standing next to an Iranian Shahed-136 drone. The Shahed family of drones are cheap but effective kamikaze weapons that Iran has used extensively in the Middle East, in addition to shipping them to Russia for use against Ukraine.
"We have decimated Iran's capability to make mischief in the region. There's no doubt about it," said Bush, who is UANI's chairman, adding that he applauds the Trump administration for their work. He pointed out that the presence of 300 Shahed drones in Cuba poses a threat, despite the United States having robust defense capabilities.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who joined Bush at the event, emphasized the effectiveness of drones in modern warfare. "This is the face of warfare," he said, noting that AI capabilities are drastically advancing the effectiveness of drones. Gimenez highlighted the use of drones in the war in Ukraine, where Kyiv's forces have manufactured millions of small explosive drones for their defense, and to great effect.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mark Wallace, now CEO of UANI, also spoke at the event, calling the Shahed drone "the ubiquitous terror weapon of mass destruction in modern warfare." Wallace warned that the drones have struck allies across the region, killed American troops, and rained terror across the Middle East.
