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Mysterious glowing orbs light up Iran's night sky, spark speculation

Residents of Zahedan in southeastern Iran witnessed unexplained luminous phenomena in the night sky, with viral videos showing glowing spheres absent of typical missile or aircraft characteristics. Experts suggest the objects may be military flares, though their precise origin remains unclear.

LSN India · 21 September 2026

Mysterious glowing orbs light up Iran's night sky, spark speculation

Zahedan, a city in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, became the focal point of public curiosity after residents reported seeing glowing orbs illuminating the predawn sky. Multiple videos circulated on social media showing bright, spherical objects moving across the darkness, capturing the attention of observers across the region.

The recorded footage notably lacks the distinctive features typically associated with military activity. No audible sonic booms, missile trails, or aircraft engine sounds are evident in the videos, ruling out some conventional explanations for the phenomenon. The silent, luminous nature of the objects has led to widespread speculation regarding their origin and purpose.

Security analysts and observers familiar with military operations have suggested the glowing objects may be illumination flares deployed by military aircraft during routine exercises or operations. Such flares, which produce bright, descending light patterns, are commonly used for tactical purposes and training exercises by air forces across the region.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and periodic military activities in the area. While local authorities have not issued official statements explaining the phenomenon, the most plausible explanation remains that of military flares, a relatively routine occurrence in airspace near strategic locations across the Middle East.