Reported UFO Sighting — Tehran, Iran, 19 September 1976

This document is a formal report from the USDAO in Tehran, dated 20 September 1976, regarding a series of UFO sightings that occurred in the Shemiran area of Tehran on 19 September 1976. The incident began with telephone calls from citizens reporting strange objects in the sky. An F-4 aircraft was scrambled to investigate. Upon approaching the object, which was described as having intense brilliance and flashing strobe lights, the F-4 pilot experienced a total loss of instrumentation and communications. The aircraft retreated, and communications were restored. A second F-4 was launched and successfully acquired a radar lock on the object. The object was described as having a rectangular pattern of flashing lights in blue, green, red, and orange. During the encounter, a second object emerged from the first and headed toward the F-4 at high speed. The pilot attempted to fire an AIM-9 missile, but his weapons control panel failed, and he lost all communications again. The pilot performed evasive maneuvers, and the objects eventually rejoined. The primary object was later observed descending and landing, appearing to cause a large explosion and casting a bright light over a large area. The F-4 crew observed the landing site from an altitude of 15,000 feet. A civil airliner in the vicinity also reported communication failures. During daylight, the F-4 crew returned to the area and detected a beeper signal near a small house with a garden. Residents in the area reported a loud noise and a very bright light, similar to lightning. The area was being checked for possible radiation at the time of the report.