Tehran

Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, lying at the foot of the Alborz mountains. Agha Mohammad Khan, founder of the Qajar dynasty, captured it in 1785 and made it his capital, and grew into a city of millions in the 20th century.

In the early hours of 19 September 1976, residents reported a bright light in the sky over Tehran. The Imperial Iranian Air Force sent two F-4 Phantom jets from Shahrokhi air base to intercept it. According to a US Defense Attaché report passed to the Defense Intelligence Agency, one jet lost its instruments and communications as it approached, and the other's weapons control failed when its pilot tried to fire.

The report reached the CIA and the White House, and was later released under the Freedom of Information Act. Sceptics suggest a mix of a bright planet, equipment faults and stressed crews; others treat it as one of the best-documented military UFO cases.