At a United Against Nuclear Iran event, former Florida governor Jeb Bush praised President Trump’s hard line on Tehran while warning that Iran-made Shahed drones have surfaced in Cuba. The gathering highlighted how cheap, kamikaze-style drones have reshaped conflict from the Middle East to Ukraine, and how that technology now poses a potential threat closer to home. Leaders at the event stressed U.S. defensive strength while sounding a clear alarm about proliferation and the future of warfare.
Jeb Bush stood beside a Shahed-136 display and acknowledged American progress against Iran while making a blunt point about expanding threats. He praised the administration’s pressure campaign and credited hard policy for shrinking Tehran’s capacity to cause trouble. At the same time, he drew attention to reporting that Cuba now holds a stock of these drones, forcing a sober look at how quickly weapons can move across borders.
The Shahed family represents low-cost, effective one-way attack systems that have been used widely in the Middle East and transferred abroad. These unmanned explosives are not glamorous, but they change the calculus on the battlefield by allowing small forces to strike with little warning. Their export to places like Russia for use in Ukraine, and now alleged storage in Cuba, underlines how asymmetric tools can be repurposed by adversaries.
“We have decimated Iran’s capability to make mischief in the region. There’s no doubt about it,” Bush said, emphasizing results from sustained pressure and diplomatic isolation. He made clear he applauds the administration for taking steps that reduced Tehran’s reach, while insisting vigilance remains necessary. He also pointed out the reported Cuban stockpile as an example of why the work is far from finished.
“I also want to point out that the press reports are that there are 300 of these in Cuba,” Bush said, gesturing toward the drone on display to drive home the scale of the concern. He framed the remark without sensationalism, then balanced it with reassurance about America’s capabilities. “We have very good defense capabilities, so this is not a press conference to scare the bejesus out of people. The United States does have capabilities of defending the homeland, for sure,” Bush qualified before saying the drones nevertheless pose “a threat.”
Congressman Carlos Gimenez added a forward-looking warning that the age of kamikaze drones is here and will redefine tactics and strategy. “This is the face of warfare,” he said of the drone, noting rapid advances in sensors and autonomy that multiply effectiveness. “This is how war is going to be carried out in the future, and it’s being carried out right now,” he said, pointing to real-world examples from Ukraine where inexpensive platforms have had outsized impact.
Ukraine’s experience shows how small, mass-produced drones can be decisive in defense and offense, forcing even well-equipped militaries to adapt quickly. Gimenez highlighted how Kyiv’s forces improvised and scaled up production of small explosive drones, turning a weakness into a weapon of necessity. The lesson is stark for American planners: inexpensive tech can level battlefields and spread danger fast if left unchecked.
Mark Wallace, CEO of UANI and a former U.S. ambassador, summed up the weapon’s grim role on modern battlefields with a blunt phrase. He described the Shahed as “the ubiquitous terror weapon of mass destruction in modern warfare.” Wallace also warned that the drone “has struck our allies across the region, killed American troops, our allies across the region … and has been raining terror across the Middle East at our bases and the like,” and reminded attendees that some transfers into the Western Hemisphere happened years ago, long before the current rounds of confrontation.
The event left a clear message: policy wins against state sponsors of terror matter, but supply chains and proxies create second-order risks that demand constant attention. Officials argued for sustained pressure, improved defensive systems, and smart export controls to slow proliferation and protect allies. The tone blended confidence in American deterrence with a call to keep working to deny adversaries the tools to threaten our interests and neighbors.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.