Fact check: Verifying images of US-Israel war on Iran
Fact Check: Verifying Images of US-Israeli War on Iran
During periods of conflict, social media platforms often become overwhelmed with content related to ongoing events. In the case of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, numerous videos have circulated, each claiming to depict scenes from Tehran or other Iranian cities. While some footage aligns with verified reports, others are misleading, contextually altered, or digitally fabricated. DW Fact Check has analyzed several of these videos to determine their accuracy.
Claim 1: US Bombs Tehran in Early March
A video shared on X claimed to show the capital of Iran, Tehran, under attack by US forces. The user stated that the US had begun dropping 2,000-pound bombs on March 4, with the Trump administration asserting that this was not a war. However, a reverse image search confirms the footage displays bombing in Tehran, not Baghdad or Beirut. The video was originally posted on March 1, not March 4, as noted by the user’s own account and corroborated by the timing of its initial upload.
“The US began dropping 2,000-pound bombs on March 4,”
according to the video’s poster. The US military, however, confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers struck Iran’s missile facilities as early as February 28. This aligns with reports that the US had already launched attacks on Tehran on that date. The video’s location was verified by the poster and a London-based outlet, Iran International, as being near Shariati Street in Tehran.
Claim 2: Video Shows Khamenei’s Funeral
A Facebook post claimed a video depicted a funeral for Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The video had amassed over 90,000 views by Friday and was shared on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, Khamenei was killed in the initial wave of strikes, and no official funeral had occurred by then. Organizing such an event so quickly, especially during a war, would be challenging.
“The administration still says this is not a war,”
the user asserted. DW Fact Check discovered the video actually shows the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, former Hezbollah leader, and his likely successor, Hashem Safieddine. This event took place on February 23, 2025, and news outlets like AFP had previously published similar footage, including clear visuals of Nasrallah’s portraits and Hezbollah flags.
Claim 3: Mojtaba Khamenei Killed in Strikes
Another X post suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s recently assassinated supreme leader, was also targeted in US strikes. The post had garnered 2.6 million views at the time of writing. While Mojtaba is speculated to succeed his father, this has not been officially confirmed. DW Fact Check had already debunked a deepfake video purporting to show his inauguration speech.
“any leader appointed by Iran’s government to replace Khamenei would be an ‘unequivocal target for elimination,'”
stated Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Yet, there is no evidence to date confirming Mojtaba’s death. If he had been killed, it would likely be announced publicly by the Iranian authorities.
In summary, some elements of these claims hold merit, but others are inaccurate or unverified. The videos provide partial truths, yet their context or timing may distort the overall narrative. Fact-checking remains essential to distinguish real events from manipulated content in times of crisis.
