IRGC Shoots Down US Surveillance Balloon Over Northern Iraq

The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has shot down a US military surveillance balloon over Erbil in northern Iraq, Iranian media reported, describing the operation as part of broader efforts to dismantle US reconnaissance and early-warning systems in the region. The Tasnim news agency said the balloon was targeted and destroyed in recent days as part of a strategy to eliminate what Tehran considers American spying capabilities.

According to the report, the balloon was around 35 meters long, capable of carrying up to 500 kilograms of payload and designed to remain airborne for extended periods. It could reportedly operate continuously for up to 24 hours a day and stay in the air for a month, while carrying equipment for electronic surveillance, communications relay and electronic warfare. Assessments cited by the report indicated that its deployment over Erbil was primarily intended for aerial reconnaissance and surveillance.

The reported shootdown comes amid renewed direct military confrontation between Iran and the United States, with both sides exchanging attacks earlier this week. Iranian officials said US strikes on locations in Iran caused civilian casualties, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against US military positions in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. The destruction of the surveillance balloon was portrayed by Iranian media as part of a wider Iranian military effort to challenge US reconnaissance and early-warning capabilities across the region.