Jeb Bush Warns of 300 Iranian Drones in Cuba; Displays Shahed-136 Model July 9

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush raised alarm on Wednesday about press reports of roughly 300 Iranian-made drones stationed in Cuba, warning they pose a direct threat to the United States. Speaking at a United Against Nuclear Iran event in Coral Gables, Bush displayed a Shahed-136 drone model and noted the aircraft can carry over 100 pounds of explosives and reach targets 2,500 kilometers away, putting New York within range from the island.

What the drones can do

The Shahed-136 is a kamikaze-style attack drone designed to crash into targets and explode. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told reporters the model carries more than 100 pounds of explosives and has a range of about 2,500 kilometers. From Cuba, that range covers the entire U.S. East Coast and extends to New York. Gimenez emphasized the drones organize in clusters and can penetrate air defense systems, as seen in Middle East conflicts.

Iran’s expanding reach in the region

Bush stressed that Iran has been working with Cuba and Venezuela to create regional instability. He praised the current administration’s efforts against Iran’s military capabilities but warned that drones can organize in clusters and slip through defensive measures. Mark Wallace, CEO of United Against Nuclear Iran and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the U.S. must ensure Iran cannot project power into the Strait of Florida as it does in the Strait of Hormuz.

Why this matters for U.S. security

The presence of Iranian weapons 90 miles off Florida’s coast represents a shift in the security landscape, according to national security experts. Wallace said the U.S. must develop policy to defeat these systems and prevent hostile governments from aligning with Iran. Bush noted that drones can get through defense capabilities, raising questions about America’s readiness to counter such threats near its borders.

Bush’s long-standing Cuba stance

Bush has maintained a hardline position on Cuba for decades. Before his 2016 presidential bid, he opposed easing U.S. relations with the island, telling The New York Times in 2014 that unilaterally changing policy without concessions would yield nothing. His warnings about Iranian drones reflect his broader view that Cuba poses a strategic threat when aligned with hostile regimes.

Final Thoughts

The disclosure of Iranian drones in Cuba signals a new security challenge for the U.S., with weapons capable of striking the mainland now positioned 90 miles offshore. Bush and other officials are calling for coordinated policy to counter the threat, though the exact number of drones and their operational status remain unconfirmed.

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