A 6-second video clip circulating on social media claims to show a “U.S. attack on Iran” and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The video shows people running while a loud explosion is heard. The caption reads: “U.S. attack on Iran, tensions in the Middle East.”
The clip was posted on February 28 by the Facebook page Janastha. At the time of review, the video had received 753 reactions, 41 comments, 92 shares, and over 200,000 views. Several users shared the clip as authentic footage of a real attack.
Original Post:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17k8xXdu5g/
Archived Version:
View Archived Post
Fact
Reverse Image Search
We extracted the first frame (0 seconds) from the viral video and conducted a Google Reverse Image Search. The same image frame appears in international media coverage, including:
However, these outlets used the image as a still photograph in news reports. None of them published the 6-second viral video clip.
Technical Analysis
Hive Moderation
Frame testing through Hive Moderation showed an 87.6% probability of AI-generated visuals and 0% probability of AI-generated audio.
ImageWhisperer
Testing an extracted frame via ImageWhisperer indicated, with high confidence, that the visuals were AI-generated.
Wasitai
Another frame analyzed using Wasitai was also classified as AI-generated.
TruthScan (Audio Analysis)
Audio testing through TruthScan showed a 99% probability that the audio is real and a 1% probability of AI usage.
Visual Structure Observations
Independent visual analysis revealed smoke rising in an unusually straight and uniform pattern, explosion spread resembling digital visual effects (VFX), and inconsistent lighting between buildings and smoke shadows. These anomalies further support the likelihood of AI-generated manipulation.
Verdict
Claim: The video shows a U.S. attack on Iran.
Claimed by: Janastha Facebook Page
Rating: Misleading
While a similar still image has appeared in legitimate news coverage related to Israeli strikes in Tehran, the 6-second viral clip itself is not authentic footage of a U.S. attack. Multiple AI detection tools indicate that the visuals were generated using artificial intelligence. The audio appears to be real, but the visual component was likely artificially created using an existing news image.
The viral clip therefore misrepresents the situation and does not show genuine footage of a U.S. attack on Iran.