The Phantom Jet Encounter

On September 19, 1976, Iranian Air Force F-4 Phantom jets were scrambled to intercept a UFO over Tehran. When pilots attempted to engage, their weapons systems failed. The US Defense Intelligence Agency called it “a classic” case.

The Setting

Tehran, Iran:

• September 19, 1976
• Night operation
• Imperial Iranian Air Force
• Multiple witnesses
• Urban area

Initial Reports

Civilian calls:

• Bright object
• Over city
• Multiple witnesses
• Authorities notified
• Air Force alerted

First Scramble

F-4 Phantom #1:

• Scrambled from Shahrokhi
• Approached object
• Instruments failed
• Communications lost
• Returned to base

Second Scramble

F-4 Phantom #2:

• Pursued object
• Radar lock obtained
• Visual confirmation
• Weapons armed
• Then failure

The Weapon Jam

Critical moment:

• Pilot tried to fire
• AIM-9 missile
• All systems jammed
• Controls failed
• Couldn’t engage

The Object

Description:

• Intense lights
• Multiple colors
• Flashing sequence
• Smaller objects emerged
• Extraordinary behavior

The Smaller Object

Emerged from main:

• Came toward jet
• Pilot thought attack
• Dove away
• Object returned to main
• Intelligent behavior

Second Small Object

Another emerged:

• Descended to ground
• Landed or hovered
• Lit up area
• Then returned
• Witnessed by pilots

Instrument Recovery

After distance:

• Systems restored
• When away from object
• Both aircraft
• Pattern noted
• EM interference

The DIA Report

US Intelligence:

• Obtained through allies
• Detailed report
• “Classic case”
• “Valid study criteria”
• Official documentation

Iranian Officials

Military testimony:

• General Yousefi
• Pilots interviewed
• Official reports
• Taken seriously
• Career military

The Crew

F-4 #2:

• Lt. Jafari (pilot)
• Lt. Jalali (weapons officer)
• Clear observations
• Consistent accounts
• Professional witnesses

Pattern Analysis

What happened:

• Approach = failure
• Distance = recovery
• Weapons specifically
• Deliberate jamming?
• Defensive action?

Significance

Military intercept with weapons system jamming, official DIA documentation, and multiple witnesses.

Legacy

Tehran represents one of history’s best-documented military UFO encounters—where a technologically superior object disabled weapons and toyed with interceptors.