Viral But False Images Spread After Iran Attacks

As conflict escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, misleading images and videos began circulating widely across social media platforms.

According to an Associated Press fact check, several viral posts falsely claimed to show real-time destruction and casualties linked to the attacks. One set of images suggested the USS Abraham Lincoln had been struck and was sinking.

However, US Central Command said the aircraft carrier was not hit, and many of the images shared online have appeared on the internet for years, including posts dating back to at least 2021.

Another widely shared clip claimed to show a US fighter jet being shot down in Iran. In reality, the video originated from a military-themed video game simulation posted online in 2025 and was clearly labeled as in-game footage.

Additionally, a video circulated purporting to show US soldiers returning home in coffins from the Iran conflict. The footage actually shows a 2011 dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for service members killed in Iraq during Operation New Dawn.