Iran Shiraz Imperial Air Force Encounter 1976

On September 18, 1976, the Imperial Iranian Air Force scrambled two F-4 Phantom II fighters from Shahrokhi Air Base after multiple civilian and military witnesses reported a brilliant object over Tehran. General Yousefi personally observed the object before ordering the scramble. The first F-4 approached to within 25 miles and experienced instrument failure, forcing return to base. A second F-4 with crew of General Parviz Jafari achieved close approach and the crew observed the object performing maneuvers at extreme speed. When Jafari prepared to fire an AIM-9 Sidewinder, his weapons control panel went completely dark and communications failed. The object emitted a smaller cylindrical object that descended and appeared to land southeast of Tehran. A US Defense Intelligence Agency officer at the Tehran DIA office compiled a formal assessment report that was circulated to the NSA, CIA, White House, and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The DIA report was subsequently declassified and published via FOIA — it remains one of the most detailed official military UAP assessments in the public record.