Does the Video Show a Strike Targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader?
Emerging story
Social media users circulated a video claiming it shows the targeting and elimination of Iran’s senior leadership during the recent military escalation between the United States and Iran.
Publishers
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV investigated the circulating video and accompanying claim and found them to be misleading. The footage does not show the targeting of Iran’s senior leadership or any Iranian political or military officials.
The Video Shows the Bombing of a Tower in Gaza in October 2023
Verification revealed that the footage is old and was published years before the current events.
A version of the video was found on Reddit, where it was described as showing the Israeli military destroying a building in Gaza during an airstrike. This predates the current developments and disproves claims linking the footage to an alleged attack on Iranian leaders.
Media outlets also published the footage from its beginning on Oct. 7, 2023, identifying it as an Israeli strike on a tower in Gaza. Reports stated that Israel claimed the building was being used by Hamas fighters to carry out attacks and that the strike formed part of the first wave of Israeli military responses to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Palestinian resistance factions earlier that day.
Misbar also found the original version of the footage published by Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza on Instagram on Oct. 7, 2023.
Furthermore, Misbar found no official statements or credible media reports indicating that the alleged assassination of Iranian leaders had occurred. Such a major event would typically receive extensive coverage from both local and international media outlets.
The End of Military Confrontation Between the U.S. and Iran
The claim circulated amid increasing reports and statements suggesting that the United States and Iran are nearing a memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for ending the military confrontation that has continued between the two countries since Feb. 28.
In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the memorandum was expected to be signed on Sunday, adding that the agreement would be followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
On Saturday evening, Pakistan’s mediator also said preparations were underway for a signing ceremony, noting that the agreement would be signed electronically through a video conference connection.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that mediation efforts led by his country had brought both sides closer to an agreement that could end months of military escalation, adding that an initial deal could be signed within hours or days.
Read More
Did a Fan Run Onto the Pitch and Raise the Palestinian Flag During the 2026 FIFA World Cup?