Report of UFO Sighting in Iran, 19 September 1976

This document is a Department of Defense message from the USDAO in Tehran, dated 23 September 1976, reporting on a series of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings that occurred in the early morning of 19 September 1976. The report describes how the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) command post received multiple reports from citizens in the Shemiran area of Tehran regarding strange objects in the sky. One object was described as bird-like, while others reported a helicopter with a light on. Upon investigation, the Assistant Deputy Commander of Operations, IG Yousefi, observed an object in the sky that appeared brighter than a star and decided to scramble an F-4 interceptor from Shahrokhi Air Force Base. The F-4 pilot reported that as he approached the object at a range of 25 nautical miles, he experienced a total loss of instrumentation and communications, forcing him to break off the intercept. A second F-4 was subsequently launched, and its backseater successfully acquired a radar lock on the object. The report notes that the object displayed inordinate maneuverability and was visible on radar. The crew described the object as having flashing strobe lights in a rectangular pattern, with colors including blue, green, red, and orange. During the encounter, the crew observed a second object detach from the primary one and descend toward the earth, appearing to land gently and casting a very bright light over an area of approximately 2.5 kilometers. The crew also reported experiencing physiological effects, specifically a loss of night vision due to the object's extreme brilliance. Later, while on final approach to Mehrabad, the crew observed another cylinder-shaped object, similar in size to a T-bird, with steady lights and a flasher. The report mentions that a civil airliner in the same vicinity also experienced communications failure. During daylight hours, the F-4 crew was taken to the area where the object was thought to have landed, but nothing was found at the specific spot. However, they did pick up a noticeable beeper signal in the area and interviewed local residents who reported hearing a loud noise and seeing a very bright light. The report concludes by stating that the aircraft and the landing area were being checked for possible radiation and that further information would be provided as it became available.