Fact Check: Is video claiming to show attack on US airbase in Riyadh real?
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies following the death of Iran’s supreme leader in a joint operation by the United States and Israel, a video began circulating on social media platforms claiming to show an Iranian airstrike on a US airbase in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Let us analyze the video and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Iran attacks United States airbase in Riyadh
The viral video shows a massive fire, with plumes of smoke rising into the sky, in what appears to be an open ground behind a cluster of buildings. The clip is shared with the claim of Iranian airstrikes on a US airbase in Riyadh.
The video surfaced after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters in the city was attacked by suspected Iranian drones, as reported by Reuters.
The video has spread across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X, garnering millions of views.
Fact Check: False, video shows Israeli attack on a Yemeni port
However, the claim is false, and the video shows an Israeli attack on a Yemeni port in 2024.
A reverse image search using Google Lens found that the original version of the viral clip was published on YouTube by a purported media outlet named Rassd News Network.
The Arabic title in the video reads that the video shows a massive fire following the Israeli bombing of Hodeidah port in Yemen on July 20, 2024.
Further search led to another YouTube video uploaded in July 2024, showing several clips of the Israeli attack on the city of Hodeidah, which also included the viral clip.
Hence, it is proven that the viral video is not related to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Iran's ability to strike is weakening, according to United States
The clip emerged as Iran continues its retaliatory airstrikes against the US and Israel, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As the conflict entered its seventh day, the US military said on Thursday, March 5, that Iran’s ability to strike American forces and regional allies is weakening.
In a statement posted on social media, United States Central Command said sustained US and Israeli operations were significantly degrading Iran’s ability to retaliate.
“The Iranian regime's ability to impact US forces and regional partners is rapidly declining, while American combat power continues to build,” the command said in the post, which included video clips showing apparent strikes on Iranian military assets.
The conflict began last Saturday, February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks targeting Iran’s leadership, missile infrastructure, and nuclear facilities.
