A photo published by the US Department of Defense of a Chinese balloon that entered the airspace of the United States in February of last year (Associated Press)
An American fighter plane intercepted a small balloon flying at a high altitude over the state of Utah, and the authorities said that they would continue to track it, but they clarified that it did not pose a threat to national security or air traffic.
American media reported that the NORAD military command, which is responsible for air security in the United States and Canada, had spotted the balloon flying at an altitude exceeding 13,000 metres.
NORAD reported that an American fighter intercepted the balloon, on Friday, over the state of Utah, and found that it was incapable of maneuvering and did not pose a threat to national security.
She confirmed that she would continue to monitor and monitor the balloon, without dropping it.
She added that the US Federal Aviation Administration "in turn considered that the balloon does not pose a threat to aviation safety."
An American official - whose name was not mentioned - told CBS News that a cubic-shaped box about 60 centimeters long was hanging from the balloon.
Unidentified flying objects have sparked tension between the United States and China since last year.
In February 2023, the US military shot down a large Chinese balloon that was spotted over a number of nuclear weapons sites.
Beijing denied that it was a spy balloon, saying it was used to collect weather data and had deviated from its course.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies + American press