Isfahan, Iran – A misleading image circulating on social media falsely claimed to show an explosion in Iran, sparking confusion and misinformation. The photo, widely shared in various languages on platforms like YouTube, was also shared by prominent newspapers like Hong Kong Commercial Daily and Malaysia’s Nanyang Siang Pau. However, the image did not depict an actual explosion in Iran.
Reports emerged of three explosions near a military airbase in Iran’s Isfahan province, with tensions escalating between Israel and Iran. Following Iran’s alleged attack on April 13, Israel had issued warnings of retaliation, leading to a potential military exchange between the two nations.
A deeper investigation revealed that the image in question was not from the recent events but was actually an “illustrative image of an airstrike” taken in Gaza in 2021. The photo, credited to Abed Rahim Khatib from Israeli photojournalism agency Flash90, was used in a news report by The Jerusalem Post.
The airstrikes in Gaza were in response to rockets fired towards Israel by Palestinian militant groups, escalating violence in the region. The clashes were fueled by tensions at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties.
As misinformation continued to spread online, AFP worked to debunk false claims related to Iran’s alleged attack. The wave of misinformation highlighted the importance of verifying sources and information before sharing on social media platforms.
By clarifying the origins of the misleading image and providing context to the ongoing tensions in the region, efforts were made to combat the spread of false information. As tensions persist between Israel and Iran, accurate reporting and fact-checking are crucial to prevent the dissemination of misinformation.