#FactCheck
Executive Summary
As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate in West Asia, a video showing a massive fire engulfing an industrial facility is being widely circulated on social media. Several users claim that the footage shows the aftermath of a recent U.S. strike on Iran. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. Our research revealed that the viral video is not related to the current U.S.-Iran conflict. It actually shows a 2022 attack on Saudi Arabia's Aramco petroleum distribution facility in Jeddah, carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Claim
An X user shared the viral video on July 16, 2026, claiming that it shows a recent American attack on Iran. https://x.com/SonOfBharat7/status/2077823734069826027 , https://perma.cc/RPA9-YZ3C
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we found that the same video had been uploaded by Reuters on March 26, 2022. According to Reuters, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy facilities. Reuters reported that the Saudi-led coalition confirmed an attack on Saudi Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah, where two storage tanks caught fire. The incident caused significant damage but no casualties were reported. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CAxj5tgZ_w
For further verification, we found another video of the same incident uploaded by the Qatar Day Facebook page on March 25, 2022, showing the fire from a different angle. According to the post, a massive blaze broke out at an oil depot in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched multiple drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure. Thick black smoke could be seen rising over the city.
Additionally, The Sun also uploaded the same footage on March 26, 2022, identifying it as the attack on Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFj5nDL0y7o
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not show a recent U.S. attack on Iran.Although the United States and Iran have recently exchanged military strikes and attacks on civilian infrastructure have been reported, the viral footage predates the current conflict by several years. It actually shows the March 2022 Houthi attack on Saudi Aramco's petroleum distribution facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the claim linking the video to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict is false and misleading.
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Executive Summary
A 20-second video showing skyscrapers submerged in water is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it depicts the flood situation in Surat, Gujarat. The video is also being used by some users to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many social media users are sharing the clip as authentic footage of flooding in Surat. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is AI-generated and has no connection with Surat. While it is true that heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of Surat and nearby districts in early July 2026, the viral video does not show any real scenes from the city.
Claim
Facebook user ‘Amresh Kumar’ shared the viral video on July 16, 2026, with the caption, “Thirty years of the Modi-BJP government. Drone footage of Gujarat Model – Surat city.”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2440459239767277
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first conducted a keyword search using terms related to flooding in Surat during July 2026. Our search confirmed that Surat experienced heavy rainfall during the first week of July, resulting in waterlogging and disruption in several low-lying areas. According to a report published by Bhaskar.com on July 8, 2026, intense rainfall led to flooding in several parts of Surat, and a few deaths due to electrocution were also reported.
However, none of the credible reports or images from the actual flooding resembled the scenes shown in the viral video. To further investigate, we analysed the video using multiple AI detection tools.We first scanned the video using Hive Moderation, which indicated a 99.9% probability that the footage was generated using Artificial Intelligence.
For additional verification, we examined the clip using another AI detection platform, WasItAI, which also concluded that the video had been created using AI. The analysis from multiple tools strongly suggests that the viral footage is digitally generated and does not represent a real event.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video being shared as drone footage of flooding in Surat is fake. Although Surat experienced heavy rainfall and flooding in early July 2026, the video circulating on social media is AI-generated and has no connection with the actual situation in the city. The clip is being falsely shared to spread misleading information.
Executive Summary
A video of an Indian Army officer leaving a meeting alongside a police official is being widely circulated on social media. Some users are sharing the clip with the claim that the officer walked out of a meeting after the government refused to provide funding for security preparations related to Pakistan and China. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is not related to any dispute over defence funding. It actually shows a press conference held in Patiala in March 2025 regarding an attack on an Indian Army Colonel. During the press conference, the Army officer demanded a transparent, time-bound, fair and impartial research, while the police official provided details about the action taken in the case.
Claim
Facebook user ‘Salman Pathan’ shared the video on July 15, 2026, with the claim: “After the government refused funding for security arrangements/preparations related to Pakistan and China, an Indian Army officer left the meeting.” The post further questioned the government over alleged priorities in spending public money.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3995874277215044
https://perma.cc/JL7A-2A6B?type=standard
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we found that the same video was uploaded on March 25, 2025, by X user ‘Man Aman Singh Chhina’. The post stated:
“Chief of Staff of Western Command Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa left along with senior officers after reading a statement on the Patiala Colonel case without answering any questions. The DGP also read his statement and left, but at least he answered media questions.”
https://x.com/manaman_chhina/status/1904492655720988850?s=20
Further research revealed that the Government of Punjab’s official YouTube channel had uploaded the video of the same press conference on March 25, 2025. At the end of the press conference, when the Army and police officials leave the venue, the same question from journalists that appears in the viral clip can be heard.
https://www.youtube.com/live/7i3Nxc6vTpU
According to a report published by Amar Ujala on July 16, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, dissatisfied with the research conducted by the Chandigarh Police SIT, transferred the case to the Central Bureau of research (CBI).
Conclusion
Our research found that an old and unrelated video from March 2025 is being falsely circulated with the claim that an Army officer left a meeting after the government refused funding for security preparations related to Pakistan and China. The viral video actually relates to a press conference regarding the attack on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in Patiala and has no connection with any defence funding issue. The viral claim is therefore false and misleading.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing a delivery boy risking his life by jumping in front of a speeding truck to save a small child. The dramatic footage has drawn widespread praise, with many users calling the delivery worker a "real hero," "Superman," and even "an angel." Several social media users have claimed that the incident took place in Mumbai, alleging that the delivery boy's quick thinking prevented a fatal accident. CyberPeace Research Wing ’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is not real but AI-generated, and is being circulated with a misleading claim.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the viral video on July 12, 2026, with the caption: "This cannot be called a human, but an angel. Such an incredible feat by a delivery boy from Mumbai is hard to believe. At first glance, it seemed like he had sacrificed his life to save the child, but in the next moment, he saved not only himself but also the child's life. Watch this incredible video."
https://x.com/virjust18/status/2076270467569320072
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we conducted a keyword search on Google. However, we found no credible media reports or authentic sources confirming that such an incident had occurred in Mumbai or anywhere else. During the research, we found the same video uploaded on the Instagram account 'ai_nature_of_beauty_01' on July 12, 2026. Although the post's caption did not provide any details about the incident, a review of the account revealed that it regularly uploads AI-generated videos featuring fictional and digitally created scenarios. This strongly indicates that the viral clip is not footage of an actual event but content created using Artificial Intelligence.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Das5IJ9FFF5/
We further analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 96.1% probability that the footage was AI-generated. The analysis strongly suggests that the video was created using artificial intelligence rather than recorded in the real world.
For additional verification, we also examined the video using another AI detection platform, AI or Not. The tool likewise identified the scenes in the viral clip as likely AI-generated, reinforcing our findings.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not depict a real rescue. It is AI-generated content that has been falsely circulated as footage of a delivery boy saving a child from a speeding truck in Mumbai. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that such an incident actually occurred.
Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media showing a multi-storey building located beside what appears to be a river. A road runs alongside the building, with visible erosion and large cracks. A crowd of people can be seen standing near the edge of the road close to the building. Suddenly, the front portion of the building collapses into the water, followed moments later by the rear section tilting and falling into the river. As the building collapses, people are seen running in panic. The video is being shared with the claim that it shows a real incident in which a multi-storey building collapsed like a house of cards due to heavy rainfall, a swollen river, and severe erosion that also caused part of the road to cave in. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is not real. It was generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a false claim.
Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral video on July 15, 2026, claiming that it shows a multi-storey building collapsing into a swollen river due to heavy rainfall and strong water currents, while part of the adjacent road also collapsed because of a landslide.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DazTcrBCBrI/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we found no credible news reports, authentic videos, or reliable sources related to the incident. However, we found the same video uploaded on a YouTube Shorts channel named @mohammedalmekhlafiht1555. The channel's cover image describes the creator as an "AI & Automation Engineer." In addition, the descriptions of videos uploaded on the channel explicitly mention "Made With AI."
https://youtube.com/shorts/zFotETyAz8E?si=b6wj_eAG-nj7U1HE
We also carried out a detailed visual analysis of the footage. During the collapse, the front portion of the building falls into the water almost as a single block without breaking apart, which is highly unrealistic. After a brief pause, the rear section tilts and also falls almost intact onto the first section, without disintegrating despite the massive impact. The behaviour of people in the video also appears unnatural. Some individuals are seen running with their hands raised, while others inexplicably move toward the collapsing building and even jump into the water. Workers repairing the damaged road appear completely unaffected by the nearby collapse. In a real structural failure of this magnitude, buildings typically break apart into multiple sections, generating debris, dust, and strong shockwaves that would significantly affect nearby people.
In the next stage of our research, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 78.1% probability that the video was AI-generated.
For additional verification, we also examined the video using AI or Not, which concluded that the footage has a 96% probability of being AI-generated.
Finally, we analysed the video using Wasit.AI, which also indicated a 75% probability that the video had been created using Artificial Intelligence.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not depict a real incident. It was generated using Artificial Intelligence and is being shared on social media with a false and misleading claim that it shows a multi-storey building collapsing into a river due to heavy rainfall and erosion.
Executive Summary
A photograph is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it shows Chinese soldiers blindfolding and escorting three Indian soldiers after entering 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh. The image is being shared as evidence of an alleged Chinese military intrusion into Indian territory.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. Our research revealed that the viral image is AI-generated and has no connection to any real incident in Arunachal Pradesh. The Government of India and the Indian Army have also rejected claims of Chinese forces entering Indian territory.
Claim
An Instagram user, 'star8atik', shared the viral image on July 6, 2026, with the caption:"China has occupied 60 km of land in Arunachal Pradesh."
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dac60uVtH4j
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. However, we did not find any authentic source or credible report linking the viral image to an actual incident involving Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh. We also conducted keyword-based searches on Google using terms related to the alleged Chinese incursion. The search yielded no credible news reports confirming that Chinese soldiers had captured Indian troops or entered 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh. We then closely examined the image and noticed several visual inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. The facial features and body proportions of the soldiers in the background appeared distorted and unnatural. Additionally, one of the Indian soldiers was shown with what appeared to be a Chinese flag patch on his arm, but its design and placement were inconsistent and visually flawed. These anomalies raised strong suspicions that the image had been generated using artificial intelligence. To verify this, we analysed the image using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 98% probability that the image was AI-generated.
For additional verification, we also scanned the image using Undetectable AI, which found a 97% probability that the image had been digitally generated or manipulated using AI.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral image claiming to show Chinese soldiers capturing Indian troops after entering Arunachal Pradesh is fake. The image is AI-generated and is being falsely circulated to support misleading claims of a Chinese military incursion. Furthermore, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Indian Army have publicly rejected claims that Chinese forces entered Indian territory, making the viral claim baseless.
Executive Summary
A purported clipping from an Australian newspaper is being circulated on social media with the claim that it published a report stating that people attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public event in Melbourne only because free roti and curry were being served. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral newspaper clipping to be fake and digitally edited. Our research revealed that The Age, the newspaper featured in the viral image, did not publish any such report in its July 10 edition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on July 8, after concluding his visit to Indonesia. On July 9, he addressed the Indian diaspora at Melbourne's stadium alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with more than 30,000 people attending the event. The viral newspaper clipping falsely links this event to a fabricated headline claiming that “the crowd gathered because free roti and curry were being served.”
Claim
Sharing the purported newspaper clipping, an X user wrote:“Modi supporters go anywhere for free food! If there is anything left to disgrace the country, let us know. Free curry and roti were served using taxpayers’ money to gather a crowd at PM Modi’s event in Australia. Australian newspaper report.”
https://x.com/ssrajputINC/status/2075806767129235668
https://archive.ph/https://x.com/ssrajputINC/status/2075806767129235668
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the purported Australian newspaper clipping, we first extracted keyframes and performed a reverse image search. During the research, we found that the original newspaper clipping had been posted on X by journalist Aman Sharma on July 10, 2026. The original clipping contained no such report as the one seen in the viral image. According to the caption of the post, the newspaper coverage was published by Australian newspapers during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia.
https://x.com/AmanKayamHai_/status/2075362478364787165/photo/3
Since Prime Minister Modi's Melbourne event took place on July 9, we examined the July 10 digital edition of The Age. We found the same coverage on Pages 4 and 5 of the newspaper. However, there was no report mentioning that people attended the event because free food was being distributed. Instead, the space shown in the viral clipping actually carried a report about Australian Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's criticism of far-right Senator Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. https://edition.theage.com.au/shortcode/THE965/archive
Our comparison confirmed that the viral image had been digitally altered, with the original news story replaced by fabricated text to falsely suggest that The Age had published such a report.
Conclusion
Our research found that the purported Australian newspaper clipping is fake and digitally edited. The Age did not publish any report claiming that people attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Melbourne event because free roti and curry were being served. The viral image has been manipulated to spread a false narrative and is being shared with a misleading claim.
Executive Summary
A graphic featuring a photograph of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is being widely circulated on social media. The graphic carries a statement attributed to him: “It is not appropriate for the Prime Minister of India to bow before Trump, and India was a matter of pride under Indira Gandhi.” The graphic claims that Mojtaba Khamenei made this statement. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that Mojtaba Khamenei did not make any such statement. The research revealed that there is no credible evidence, official statement, interview, or verified social media post supporting the claim. Had such a statement been made by him, it would have been reported by credible media outlets.
Claim
Sharing the graphic, an X user named Thakur Kuldeep Singh wrote:“Narendra Modi has tarnished India’s name across the entire world. Do we now have to hear all this from Iran too?”
https://x.com/Ramesh18498367/status/2066095602954649607?s=20
Fact Check
As part of our fact-checking process, we conducted a keyword search on Google using terms such as “Mojtaba Khamenei criticized India’s Prime Minister for bowing before Trump” and “Mojtaba Khamenei praised India under Indira Gandhi.” However, we found no credible news reports, official statements, interviews, or verified social media posts supporting the claim that Mojtaba Khamenei made such remarks. During our research, we also found a report published by NDTV on March 12, 2026, which mentioned remarks made by a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader regarding Iran-India relations.
According to the report, the representative stated that Mojtaba Khamenei “loves India” and values the long-standing civilizational ties between the two countries. He further said that Iran’s leadership has historically admired India’s culture, philosophy, and history and has consistently supported stronger relations between the two nations.
Conclusion
Our research found that the claim attributing a statement to Mojtaba Khamenei criticizing India’s Prime Minister for bowing before Trump and praising India during Indira Gandhi’s tenure is false. There is no credible news report, official statement, interview, or verified social media post confirming that Mojtaba Khamenei made such a statement. The viral graphic is being circulated with a false attribution.
Executive Summary
A social media account on X (formerly Twitter) named @MEABharat is being circulated as the official account of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Many users are sharing posts from the account, believing it to be an authentic government handle and treating the information published there as official communication. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that @MEABharat is not an official X account of the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry has publicly clarified that it has no association with the account and stated that it is impersonating the Ministry, misleading the public, and undermining public interest.
Claim
Social media users are claiming that @MEABharat is the official X account of India's Ministry of External Affairs and that the information posted on the account is officially issued by the Ministry.
https://x.com/MEAFactCheck/status/2076650791453270332
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we conducted a keyword-based search on Google. During the research, we found an official clarification posted by the Ministry of External Affairs' fact-check handle, @MEAFactCheck. In its post, the Ministry clearly stated that the @MEABharat account has no connection whatsoever with the Ministry of External Affairs. It further clarified that the account is impersonating the Ministry, misleading the public, and undermining public interest. The Ministry also advised users to exercise caution and rely only on its verified official social media accounts and website for authentic information.
https://x.com/MEAFactCheck/status/2076650791453270332
As part of our research, we also examined the Ministry's official X account, @MEAIndia, which carries the verified blue badge. The account regularly publishes official statements, diplomatic updates, press briefings, and other communications related to India's foreign policy. It also serves as the official spokesperson's handle for the Ministry of External Affairs.
https://x.com/MEAIndia
Conclusion
Our research found that @MEABharat is not the official X account of India's Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry itself has publicly clarified that the account is fake, has no affiliation with the government, and is impersonating the Ministry to mislead the public. Therefore, the claim that @MEABharat is the official MEA handle is misleading. Users should rely only on the Ministry's verified accounts, including @MEAIndia and @MEAFactCheck, for authentic government information.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing what appears to be a missile attack over a densely populated city at night. The footage, seemingly recorded from inside a passenger aircraft, shows multiple explosions and missiles lighting up the sky.The video is being circulated with the claim that a Kuwaiti pilot filmed Iranian missiles being launched towards a US military base in the Middle East from the cockpit of an aircraft.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research confirmed that while Iran has launched attacks on US military installations in the Middle East, the viral footage is not related to those incidents. The video was found to be AI-generated and is being shared with a false and misleading narrative.
Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral video on July 11, 2026, claiming that it was recorded by a Kuwaiti pilot from an aircraft and shows Iranian missiles targeting a US military base in the Middle East.
Post Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DanymEDIdp2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we conducted a keyword-based search on Google. During the research, we did not find any credible news report or authentic source linking the viral video to the alleged Iranian missile attack. We did find a Navbharat Times report covering Iran's strikes on US military bases in the Middle East. However, the report did not contain the viral footage or any reference suggesting that such a video had been recorded by a Kuwaiti pilot. https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/video/news/america-iran-war-retaliation-for-us-attacks-begins-iran-strikes-at-trumps-allies-and-its-neighbour/videoshow/132370583.cms
In the next stage of the research, we analysed the viral video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The tool indicated that the video had a 74.8% probability of being AI-generated.
For additional verification, we also analysed the footage using another AI detection tool, DetectVideo AI. Its analysis showed a 61% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral claim is false. Although Iran has carried out missile strikes on US military facilities in the Middle East, the viral video is not authentic and has no connection to those attacks. The footage was found to be AI-generated and is being circulated on social media with a misleading claim that it was recorded by a Kuwaiti pilot from an aircraft.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely circulated on social media showing thousands of drones forming an image of Cristiano Ronaldo wearing his iconic Portugal jersey over what appears to be a water body. Moments later, the drones are seen creating his famous “SIUUU” celebration pose. The video is being shared with the claim that this spectacular aerial drone show was organised as a tribute to Ronaldo.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that the video is not a real drone display but was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a misleading claim.
Claim
The viral video is being shared on social media with the claim that the drone show was organised in honour of Cristiano Ronaldo.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DamaeegILpU/?igsh=NmtjOTN4cWJzenJ1
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted multiple keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we did not find any credible video, news report, or reliable source confirming that such a drone show was organised for Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the next stage of the research, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The tool’s results indicated that the viral video had a 71% probability of being AI-generated.
For further verification, we checked the video using another AI detection tool, DetectVideo AI. The analysis showed that the video had an 80% probability of being AI-generated.
At the final stage of the research, the video was also analysed using Deepfake-O-Meter. The tool indicated an almost 100% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral claim is false. The video does not show a real drone show organised in honour of Cristiano Ronaldo. The footage was found to be AI-generated and is being circulated on social media with a false narrative.
Executive Summary
A video showing a massive explosion and fire at what appears to be a gas facility is being widely circulated on social media. In the footage, huge flames and thick smoke can be seen rising from the site, while workers and security personnel are seen running around in panic.
The video is being shared with the claim that it shows an attack on the South Pars natural gas field in Iran’s Bushehr province.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that the video is not from a real incident but was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a false narrative.
Claim
The viral video is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows an attack on energy facilities at the South Pars natural gas field in Iran’s Bushehr province.
Post Link:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DanX_iJIfTu/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted multiple keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we did not find any credible news report or reliable source confirming that the video was related to any attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field.
In the next step of the research, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Deepfake-O-Meter. The tool’s results indicated that the viral video was approximately 100% likely to be AI-generated.
For further verification, we also checked the video using another AI detection tool, DetectVideo AI. The analysis showed that the video had a 64% probability of being AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral claim is false. The video does not show any real attack on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field. The footage was found to be AI-generated and is being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
