What was claimed
Videos show the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.
Our verdict
False. The "footage" is AI-generated.
AAP FACTCHECK - The US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites has led to a fresh wave of disinformation on social media.
Among the falsehoods being shared are supposed videos of the strikes generated by artificial intelligence (AI), fake images of downed US aircraft, and bogus political resignation letters.
The posts appeared on social media following US President Donald Trump's announcement that the US military had carried out precision strikes on three key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
One Facebook video, with the overlaid text "usa attack irani nuclear site", seemingly shows plumes of smoke and fire in the distance, viewed from an apartment balcony.
A reverse image search, however, reveals it was debunked on X before the strikes even occurred.
The clip was originally posted on TikTok by a user who regularly posts AI explosion videos, with the creator labelling it "AI-generated" underneath.
Another Facebook video claiming to show explosions from the Fordow nuclear site had been posted on YouTube before the strikes took place.
Meanwhile, a Facebook video claiming to show Iran successfully testing a nuclear weapon is also AI-generated.
A watermark at the bottom of the video credits "@laughasores", a YouTube account with the description "... high-quality AI simulations … for entertainment purposes only".
Another widely shared video posted to Facebook and Instagram claiming to show the US strike on Fordow is also false.
A reverse image search reveals the footage is from December 2024, when Israel conducted strikes on Syrian military sites.
Additionally, claims images on Facebook show downed US aircraft are also fake.
AI giveaways include an emergency worker at the bottom left of the image merging with the background, and the shape of the engine fans on the wings contrasted with official photographs of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
There have also been no reports of any incidents with the bombers involved, with all safely returning to the US military base in Missouri, according to NBC News footage.
Claims on Facebook that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has resigned after the US strikes are also false.
Posts use a screenshot of a supposed resignation letter, but there are no credible reports that he has resigned.
Instead, Mr Pezeshkian joined protesters in Tehran the day after the strikes and, on Monday, June 23, said the US "must receive a response for their aggression".
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