The United States government has published new records of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), also known as unidentified flying objects (UFOs), including footage showing a sphere-like object flying at high speed over the Middle East in 2025.
The recording is part of the fifth batch of secret files declassified by the US Department of War. It was released after the US Central Command submitted a report to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).
The documents include a one-minute-39-second video captured by an electro-optical and infrared sensor aboard a US military platform in 2025. In the footage, the sensor pans to track an area of contrast, moving from left to right across the background while generally keeping it centered in the frame. The sensor then adjusts its collection mode and zoom level several times.
Department of War statement
The Department of War said the video description was provided for informational purposes only, and that readers should not interpret any part of it as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion or factual determination about the validity, nature or significance of the event described.
According to the department, redactions were made to protect the identities of eyewitnesses, the locations of government facilities, and other potentially sensitive information about military installations unrelated to UAPs. It added that no redactions were made in any released files, under the directive from President Donald Trump, concerning information about the nature or existence of any reported UAP encounter or related phenomenon.
Part of the Pursue initiative
The release is part of a newly created program called Pursue (Presidential UAP Reporting and Engagement System), led by the Department of War with support from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
The Department of War is the renamed US Department of Defense, responsible for the country's armed forces, while AARO is the Pentagon office tasked with investigating reports of UFOs and other unexplained aerial phenomena.
The move follows a directive Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, in February 2026, calling for the release of government files on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
