In 60 seconds
Every state that tracks these objects decides they belong to its rival. Sweden blamed Moscow, Moscow suspected Washington, Iran's Air Force concluded the lights over its reactors were American, and the US now records objects shadowing its own operations in the same Gulf. Today China, Taiwan, Korea and Europe call them drones and point at a neighbour.
The claim, in our words · Our reading across 19 records
“For eighty years each side has filed these objects under the other side's name; in the Gulf the two files describe the same skies.”
How it branched
Each line is a branch, named at its end. Dots are the key moments below.
The Cold War mirror
Sweden, both Germanys and the Soviet Union each assume the other bloc is behind it.
“Sannolikt … ryssarna som skjuter in sig på Stockholm från Ösel. (Probably the Russians firing at Stockholm from Ösel.)”
Helge Jung, Swedish Supreme Commander, diary, 1948
Key moments
The Gulf opens
Iran's six-year study around its nuclear sites concludes "American".
“After six years: man-made, and American.”
IRIAF Office of Studies, via Babak Taghvaee, 2020
Key moments
Drones everywhere
US crews log objects across the Gulf, and every state from Taiwan to France calls them drones.
“Protokół z analizy zdarzenia jest objęty klauzulą NATO CONFIDENTIAL.”
Paweł Bejda, Polish deputy defence minister, 2024
Key moments
All 19 events, branch by branch, in the Workspace →