FACT CHECK: Video of airstrike in Iran is AI-generated

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

While Israel and Iran have been exchanging airstrikes since June 13, AI detection tool Hive Moderation identified the viral video as 93% likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content

Claim: A video shows airstrikes hitting Iran, causing buildings to catch fire.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The video posted on Facebook has garnered 9.9 million views, 39,000 reactions, and 4,600 shares as of writing. The Facebook account that posted it has 28,000 followers and identifies itself as coming from the Philippines.

The video shows an aerial view of an area in Iran with several buildings on fire following missile strikes. Text on the video reads, “Iran now–this is real,” with crying face emojis in the caption. 

Top comments on the post are mostly written in Filipino, with some users expressing hope and prayers for peace and protection amid the current conflict between Israel and Iran.

The facts: While it is true that Israel and Iran have been exchanging airstrikes since June 13, AI detection tool Hive Moderation identified the viral video of the airstrikes as 93% likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content.

A reverse image search of a screenshot from the video shows that no reliable media sources have posted an exact match of the said media.

Furthermore, the post contains no disclosure or disclaimer regarding the use of AI, leading social media users to believe that the video is genuine.

Iran–Israel conflict: Both countries have been launching missiles at each other for five days after Israel launched a barrage of strikes across Iran on June 13, claiming it was to prevent Iran from building an atomic weapon. In response, Iran fired its own retaliatory strikes, leading to the continuous exchange of attacks. (READ: World reacts to Israeli strike on Iran over nuclear activity)

The attack is a new development in Israel and Iran’s decades-long conflict that began with shadow wars as far back as 1979. Tensions sharply escalated in April last year after Iran launched a direct attack on its old enemy, a move that was part of a wider escalation since the war in Gaza began in 2023. (TIMELINE: Iran and Israel’s open warfare after decades of shadow war) 

The Philippines has also released a statement regarding the recent airstrikes, stating, “With the welfare of the people of the Middle East and the Filipinos there in mind, the Philippines urges concerned countries to deescalate and follow the path of peace.”

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has debunked other false claims about AI-generated content:

• FACT CHECK: POC, Filipino doctor not promoting unregistered arthritis ‘cure’ 
• FACT CHECK: Ad of Kris Aquino endorsing barley grass powder is fake
• FACT CHECK: Video of Pope Leo XIV talking about ‘blessed salt’ uses deepfake audio
• FACT CHECK: Video of students opposing Sara Duterte impeachment is AI-generated
• FACT CHECK: Photos of earthquake in Colombia are AI-generated    

Legitimate updates on the Israel–Iran conflict can also be found on Rappler’s website. – Shay Du/Rappler.com

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