Altered and Misleading Footage Circulating From Iranian Protests

In recent days, social media platforms have been flooded with images and videos claiming to document recent protests and political developments in Iran.

However, closer examination shows that several of these claims are misleading. Some of the visuals have been digitally altered, while others are old recordings taken out of context or filmed in entirely different countries. 

Misbar examined several widely shared posts to verify the accuracy of their claims.

Image of Iranian Protesters Manipulated by an Israeli Foreign Ministry Account

Israel’s Foreign Ministry official Persian language account shared a photo it claimed was from protests in Iran. 

The image allegedly depicts two Iranian protesters being directly sprayed with a water hose by Iranian police, alongside a caption stating: “The Iranian people are not afraid of a delusional and disillusioned government. On the contrary, it is the government that trembles at the power of the people.”

However, the photo shows multiple signs of digital alteration. The hands of the two protesters are merged with their bodies and their feet appear abnormal. One of the feet of the protester wearing black is missing entirely. 

The hand of the police officer holding the hose is completely invisible and distorted, while his left arm also appears unnatural. Similarly, the hands of another officer standing in the background are inconsistent, with some missing entirely.

The facial features of the officers in the background are irregular and unnatural, another clear indicator of manipulation. 

Additionally, the vests worn by the police display gibberish text that differs from one vest to another, further signaling digital alteration.

All of these signs confirm that the photo, as expected, was digitally altered.

Misbar further investigated and found that the image is actually a screenshot from a genuine video of a recent protest, but it had been manipulated.

The original video was first shared on December 31, 2025, by BBC Persian senior reporter Farzad Seifikaran.

He explained that it shows protesters in Hamadan city standing in front of a water cannon without moving, rather than being directly sprayed as depicted in the altered image.

In the original video, Iranian police use a water hose, which is not visible in the frame, to sprinkle water and disperse protesters, after which two of them move forward. 

Meanwhile, a police officer approaches from the side and uses a loudspeaker to address the crowd.

The BBC journalist also retweeted the same photo, explaining that it had been digitally altered.

Old Video of Sanandaj Protests Misrepresented as Recent Events

Another video claimed to show Iranians destroying surveillance cameras allegedly used by the Islamic regime to monitor citizens during recent protests. 

The post gained significant attention after being shared by alleged Israeli Defense Forces soldier and media figure Hananya Naftali, where it received over 100k views.

Misbar investigated the video and found that it actually shows protests from 2022 in Sanandaj. 

The footage was first posted by local media outlets, reporting that it depicts events in Sanandaj, located in Iran’s Kurdistan province, on October 8, 2022, when protesters destroyed surveillance cameras.

Viral Video Claims To Show Reza Pahlavi in Egypt

One prominent video circulating online claimed to show Reza Pahlavi being cheered by large crowds on the streets of Egypt. 

The clip was widely shared and garnered millions of views, with users claiming that it portrays “Iran’s crown prince-in-exile as receiving public support in Egypt, accompanied by captions suggesting that supporters hope he could one day return to assume the monarchy in Iran.”

Misbar investigated the footage and found that it actually dates back to Reza Pahlavi’s visit to Oxford University in 2023. 

The raw clip was first posted on February 27, 2023, by the TikTok account Kayhan Life, which spotlights the global Iranian community.

It was also shared on the same day by the YouTube news channel “Kayhan.London” reporting that Pahlavi was welcomed with red roses in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Oxford’s student newspaper also reported on the visit and included an image from the same welcome, showing the same setting. 

The article explained that “The Crown Prince of Iran has addressed the Oxford Union as part of his UK tour, in order to draw attention to the ongoing situation in Iran and appeal to the West for support in aiding the Iranian people.”

Protests in Iran Escalate with Arrests and Reported Deaths

Protests in Iran have entered their sixth day, representing the largest wave of unrest since 2022, when demonstrations swept the country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody. 

The current unrest was triggered by a sharp decline in the value of the national currency, with the rial dropping to approximately 1.4 million per U.S. dollar.

Human rights organizations have reported several deaths during the protests. The Center for Human Rights in Iran documented seven fatalities, while the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights reported eight. 

According to Arina Moradi of the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, 11 people, including a 15 year old, have died, most of them men in their 20s and 30s.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 119 people had been arrested, seven killed, and 33 injured, with protests occurring in at least 32 cities nationwide. 

Semi official Iranian outlets also reported casualties: Fars News noted two deaths in Lordegan, and Tabnak reported three deaths in Azna, Lorestan province, following an attack on a police station.

Trump Threats To Intervene in Iran Protests

US President, Donald Trump, warned that the United States might intervene if Iranian authorities harmed protesters.

In a social media post, Trump claimed that if demonstrators were shot, the US would “come to their rescue,” adding, “We are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without specifying what actions that might involve.

In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, described Trump’s remarks as “reckless and dangerous” and said the Iranian military was on alert. 

He stressed that while most protests remained peaceful, attacks on public property would not be tolerated. “Considering President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard within the United States, he should know that criminal damage to public property cannot be accepted,” Araghchi added.

Read More

Video of 2022 Anti-Iranian Regime Protests Resurfaces Amid Recent Turmoil

Top 8 Misleading Iran–Israel Videos Debunked by Misbar in 2025