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On the night of September 18, 1976, an unusual aerial phenomenon was reported over Tehran, Iran. Multiple residents observed a bright object in the sky, drawing the attention of both civilians and military personnel. The initial reports described a luminous, fast-moving object that did not resemble any known aircraft. Concerned about a potential airspace violation, authorities at Mehrabad International Airport quickly assessed the situation and sought verification through radar and visual observations.
Control tower operators at the airport confirmed the presence of the unidentified object, noting that it emitted an intense light that fluctuated in brightness. Eyewitnesses on the ground reported that the object appeared stationary at times before accelerating at high speeds. The behavior of the unknown aerial entity did not match conventional aircraft or celestial phenomena such as planets or meteors. Given the limited atmospheric conditions that night—clear skies and good visibility—misidentification of a natural object was considered unlikely.
As concern grew regarding the object’s origin and intent, the Iranian Air Force was notified. Radar operators detected an unknown target in the vicinity, confirming that there was indeed an abnormal presence within national airspace. The object appeared on radar screens intermittently, further complicating efforts to determine its exact range and altitude. These inconsistencies ruled out common aerial anomalies and heightened suspicions about the nature of the sighting.
Given the perceived threat and the unprecedented characteristics of the object, military authorities decided to scramble fighter jets to investigate. The task was assigned to Iranian Air Force pilots, who were launched with orders to intercept the unknown intruder. As they approached the target, events took an unexpected turn, leading to one of the most well-documented aerial encounters in military history.
The first fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II, was dispatched from Shahrokhi Air Base shortly before midnight. The pilot, upon nearing the object, began experiencing critical instrumentation failures. Communication systems malfunctioned, and the aircraft’s weapons became inoperable, forcing the pilot to break off the approach and return to base. Despite these technical difficulties, ground controllers continued to track the unidentified object on radar, confirming that it remained within Iranian airspace.
A second F-4 Phantom II was immediately scrambled, piloted by Lieutenant Yaddi Nazeri with his radar intercept officer in the back seat. As the aircraft closed in on the unknown target, the crew obtained a radar lock. However, within moments, the object demonstrated an ability not typical of known aircraft—it rapidly changed position and speed, breaking the radar lock. At this point, the pilots visually observed the unknown object, describing it as an intensely luminous craft emitting pulsating light of various colors.
During the engagement, an unexpected development occurred. A smaller object separated from the primary source and swiftly maneuvered toward the F-4. Interpreting this movement as a potential attack, the pilot attempted to fire an air-to-air missile, but the aircraft’s weapons system failed at the precise moment of engagement. Sensing immediate danger, the pilot initiated an evasive maneuver and turned away. Upon doing so, the smaller object abruptly halted its pursuit and rejoined the larger craft.
As the F-4 attempted another approach, the unknown entity released yet another smaller object, which descended toward the ground at high velocity. Anticipating a possible impact, military officials tracked this secondary object’s location. However, no explosion was observed, and subsequent searches yielded no debris or evidence of an impact site.
The strange nature of the encounter continued as the main unidentified object eventually ascended and accelerated away at astonishing speed. With no further anomalies detected, the F-4 pilots safely returned to their base. Maintenance crews later examined both aircraft involved in the mission, searching for mechanical causes for the sudden malfunctions, but no definitive technical explanations were found.
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