A U.S. F-15E pilot who was shot down during the conflict with Iran testified that he witnessed a swarm of Iranian drones moving in unison like a single organism, resembling a jellyfish, according to sources on June 23 (local time).

CNN reported, citing four sources, that the pilot, whose aircraft was shot down over Iranian airspace last April, provided this account to intelligence officials shortly before his emergency ejection.

One source relayed the pilot's statement, saying, "Multiple drones were connected and moved as one, with smaller drones hanging underneath the larger ones like tentacles," adding that it "looked like something extraterrestrial."

Another source stated that the pilot described the scene as a "drone minefield" in the air.

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, the possibility that the Iranian drone swarm played a role is being considered.

The pilot's testimony has sparked intense debate within U.S. intelligence circles, with opinions divided over the reliability of the statement given that the pilot suffered a concussion during the crash.

If true, it would mean Iran has acquired drone operational capabilities unknown to U.S. intelligence, though it is possible the technology is not yet fully developed or that the pilot may have seen a "mirage."

One official reportedly questioned the pilot, asking, "Are you sure about what you saw?"

Multiple sources analyzed that the pilot's account suggests the potential application of "one-to-many meshed networking" technology in Iran's drone system.

This technology allows a single operator to control multiple drones simultaneously.

Since there has been no prior assessment from U.S. intelligence that Iran possesses such technology, speculation has emerged that countries like Russia or China, which may hold this capability, could have provided assistance.

Emma Bates, an expert on drone warfare, explained to CNN, "If it can self-organize and maintain its shape, carry explosives, and keep reserve forces to attack targets that the first strike failed to hit, it is a very powerful approach."

The F-15E shot down at the time was carrying both a pilot and a weapons systems officer.

It has not been confirmed whether the other officer also witnessed the event.

It was also revealed that the pilot was a survivor of a friendly-fire shoot-down incident that occurred in Kuwait in March.

He has effectively survived two shoot-downs within a single month.