The Iran Jet Intercept

On September 19, 1976, two Iranian F-4 Phantom jets scrambled to intercept a UFO over Tehran. Both experienced weapons and communications failures when approaching the object. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency called it a “classic case” of a genuine unknown.

Multiple Reports

Citizens called:

• Iranian Air Force
• Bright object visible
• Over Tehran
• Not normal
• Authorities alerted

General Yousefi

Deputy Commander:

• Stepped outside
• Saw object himself
• Bright, colored lights
• Ordered scramble
• Two F-4s launched

First F-4

Lieutenant Yadhi:

• Launched around 1:30 AM
• Approached object
• At 25 miles
• All systems failed
• Forced to return

System Restoration

When jet turned away:

• Systems returned
• Immediately
• Clear pattern
• Object affected electronics
• Repeatable effect

Second F-4

Lieutenant Jafari:

• Better approach
• Radar locked on
• Size of 707 tanker
• Closed distance
• Object responded

The Pursuit

Jafari chased:

• Object accelerated
• Maintained distance
• Could not close
• Cat and mouse
• Superior performance

Smaller Object

Suddenly:

• Object emerged
• From main UFO
• Came at jet
• High speed
• Threatening

Weapons Failure

Jafari tried:

• To launch AIM-9
• System dead
• All weapons offline
• Communications too
• Completely disabled

Evasive Action

The pilot:

• Dove hard
• Negative G maneuver
• Object followed
• Then returned
• To parent craft

Third Object

Another emergence:

• Small object descended
• Toward ground
• Lit up area
• Then dark
• Possible landing

Next Day Search

Helicopter search:

• Found nothing
• But nearby area
• Reported beeper signal
• Electronic interference
• Residual effect

DIA Evaluation

U.S. Defense Intelligence:

• Obtained reports
• Analyzed case
• Called it “classic”
• Met all criteria
• Of genuine unknown

The Document

DIA report states:

• “Outstanding report”
• “Classic case”
• High credibility
• Excellent data
• Model documentation

Official Status

The case:

• Never explained
• Iranian files exist
• U.S. evaluation positive
• International incident
• Historic encounter

Electronic Warfare

The effects suggest:

• Advanced capability
• Selective disruption
• Repeatable pattern
• Technology unknown
• Decades ahead

Significance

Tehran case significant for:

• Military documentation
• Multiple aircraft
• Electronic effects
• DIA endorsement
• International importance

Legacy

The 1976 Tehran incident stands as one of the best-documented military UFO cases. The DIA’s characterization as a “classic case” meeting all criteria of a genuine unknown gives it official weight few cases possess.