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This infrared footage was submitted to AARO by United States Central Command as part of an unresolved report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon in the Middle East in 2023. The video was recorded by an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform. The source does not identify the object beyond describing the report as an unidentified anomalous phenomenon.

What the sensor shows, as described in the release:

00:01: The sensor focuses on a dark area of contrast, narrowing the field of view to zoom in.
00:02: Two bright areas of contrast transit the frame from left to right.
00:03: The sensor zooms out, keeping the bright areas of contrast within the frame.
00:05: The bright areas of contrast exit the right side of the frame.
00:07: The sensor refocuses on the dark area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame.
00:10: A reticle surrounds the dark area of contrast, which continues to remain generally within the center of the frame.
00:17: The sensor changes contrast and zoom settings, causing the frame to flash white.

Declassified by the Department of War under the PURSUE UAP records release (tranche of 7/10/26).
Agency: Department of War
Incident: 2023, Middle East
Document ID: DOW-UAP-PR024
Running time: 18 seconds.