Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Video filmed by X user Abdullah Zakaria captures dramatic nighttime footage from a rooftop or elevated vantage point on February 28, 2026, showing what he describes as an Iranian ballistic missile passing overhead during Iran’s massive retaliatory barrage against U.S. and allied targets across the Middle East.

The clip begins with a dark, star-filled sky above the city skyline, faint building lights visible below. A bright, blazing streak suddenly appears high overhead, trailing a long, curved plume of glowing exhaust that arcs like a comet tail, casting a pale yellow-white light across the night.

As the handheld camera follows the object from right to left, the luminous streak intensifies and widens. The small point of light expands into a hazy circular glow with thin rays extending outward. Its tail breaks into several glowing fragments that spread and gradually fade, indicating a mid-flight breakup or explosion far above the atmosphere.

The motion is swift at first, then slows as scattered fragments disperse, forming ethereal light trails against the black sky. No explosion is heard, only a faint sense of distant rumbling or wind.

The video lingers on the fading glow, which hangs briefly like a dissolving meteor shower before cutting out, capturing what appears to be an interception high in the exosphere.

On February 28, Tehran launched more than 170 ballistic missiles along with hundreds of drones and cruise missiles at Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf allies in retaliation for strikes that killed Supreme Leader Khamenei. Erbil’s U.S. Consulate, International Airport, and Harir Airbase were targeted, with munitions intercepted by U.S.-led defenses. No casualties were reported, but tensions across the region escalated.

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