Tehran F-4 Phantom intercepts

After civilian reports of a bright object over Tehran’s Shemiran district, the Imperial Iranian Air Force scrambled two F-4 Phantoms from Shahrokhi AB. Both crews said their instruments and communications failed near the object; the second pilot, Maj. Parviz Jafari, reported a radar lock and that his weapons panel died as a smaller object came toward him.

Explanation

A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report called it "an outstanding report" meeting all criteria for a valid study. Skeptic Philip Klass proposed Jupiter plus coincidental equipment failures.

What was seen

Shape: Brilliant flashing lights; object released a smaller one
Witnesses: Controllers, two F-4 crews, a general, civilians
Duration: ~3.5 hours

Browse

• 1970s
• Unresolved
• Military encounters
• Official government documents
• Military witnesses
• Pilot and aircrew witnesses
• Radar tracking
• Reported electromagnetic effects
• Lights and fireballs

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