Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the armed forces, has reported a successful test of a high-precision, long-range kamikaze drone carrying a 50-kilogram warhead. The disclosure came from Tasnim News Agency, which noted the achievement as part of ongoing drone development efforts within the IRGC.
Ali Kuhistani, who leads the IRGC Land Forces Research and Self-sufficiency Organization, described the UAV as one in a family of kamikaze drones created by a team of junior engineers and technicians. He emphasized that the project highlights capacity building within the force and the potential for future weapons programs to advance continuing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The UAV is identified as the Meraj-532 and is powered by a piston engine. It has a one-way flight range of around 450 kilometers and a three-hour operational endurance. Kuhistani noted that the drone is fitted with a 50-kilogram warhead and is capable of flying at an altitude near 3,600 meters, signaling a balance between range, loiter time, and payload in this class of unmanned systems.
Separately, statements from the Pentagon have indicated that the United States conducted airstrikes against targets in Syria believed to be connected with the IRGC. The announcements reflect ongoing tensions over regional activity and the involvement of the IRGC in armed operations beyond Iran’s borders.
In an incident associated with the broader counterterrorism mission led by international forces in the region, a U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. service members along with another contractor were injured in a drone attack on a base held by the multinational coalition in northeastern Syria on March 23, according to the Department of Defense press service. The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by unmanned systems in the area and the evolving security dynamics faced by allied forces operating under the coalition framework [citation: Tasnim News Agency; U.S. Department of Defense reports].