Fact Check: Is Jill Stein’s claim US Delta Force members captured after failed Tehran raid true?
WASHINGTON, DC: The United States and Israeli forces continue strikes on targets in Iran, including Tehran, central Iran, and related sites, amid the ongoing war. Explosions, fires, and heavy damage have been reported in Tehran and other regions.
Amid this, American physician, Dr. Jill Stein, shared an X post which claimed that the US air operation in Tehran failed. But is there any truth to this claim? Let us find out below.
Claim: Delta Force members captured after a failed air operation in Tehran
Dr. Jill Stein on Sunday, March 8, shared an X post from an online user that read, "Breaking News: Iranian officials have officially confirmed that a US air operation in Tehran failed, & 173 American soldiers & officers from the US military’s elite unit known as 'Delta Force' were captured."
Sharing the post, she wrote in the caption, "Holy s**t. If confirmed, this changes everything."
Following the US-Israel joint strike in Iran, which started on February 28, Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel, over Tel Aviv and the West Bank, with intercepts by Israeli defenses causing injuries and panic, US bases, and the Gulf states, including Bahrain, where fires and wounds occurred at facilities like oil refineries.
Moreover, attacks have extended regionally, with incidents in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf areas.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender,' and said that the US has diminished Iran's military, and indicated that the US will decide when the war ends. He has also rejected a quick settlement and pointed to expanded targets.
Fact Check: False, image used is AI-generated
The claim made in the online post is false, as there is no evidence to prove that a US air operation in Tehran failed, and the image used in the viral post was generated using AI tools.
The community note on the X post read, "The second picture has the Gemini watermark on the bottom right showing it's a fake AI picture."
It further mentioned, "The account is from Pakistan and is self-labeled as a 'motivational speaker', not a reporter."
Another community note mentioned, "No reliable sources confirm such a failed US operation in Tehran capturing 173 Delta Force members."
Though Iranian officials have made vague, unsubstantiated assertions about capturing 'several' US soldiers in the ongoing conflict, the US military has categorically denied any such incidents.
Moreover, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a one-line fact-check on Sunday, March 8, and dismissed the allegations as 'lies and deceptions'.
They also confirmed that no US service members are held captive by Iran, and the Trump administration echoed this, refuting Iranian claims as misinformation.
