Old Photo of Missile Launchers Moving Inside Iran Recirculates Amid Rising Iran-Israel Tensions
The Claim
Iran's Road-mobile ballistic missile launchers being moved to different locations inside Iran – the missile force is at 100% readiness in all different regions.
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Emerging story
Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, social media users widely shared a photo purporting to display Iran's road-mobile ballistic missile launchers being moved to various firing positions inside Iran.
An X user shared the image, along with the caption, "Iran's Road-mobile ballistic missile launchers being moved to different locations inside Iran – the missile force is at 100% readiness in all different regions."
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the photo making the rounds to be older than claimed.
Outdated Photo Shows Missile Launchers Relocation Inside Iran
Contrary to the viral unsubstantiated claims on social media, the photo is not recent, as it dates back to October 2023.
Misbar’s investigative team traced the original image to its earliest publication, shared on the X platform by the user "Iran Observer" on October 19, 2023.
The post’s caption identified the image as showing the movement of long-range ballistic missile launchers by the IRGC Aerospace Force along the Tehran-Qom highway.
The photo was also shared alongside another photo depicting the relocation of missile launchers within Iran.
Another X user shared the photo on October 19, 2023, along with the caption, “PHOTOS surface online showing Iranian strategic ballistic missile launchers on the move on Tehran-Qom highway. #Iran.”
In addition, other Persian websites circulated the photo in October 2023, reporting it shows the movement of Iranian missile launchers in Tehran, Iran.
Iran’s Missile Attack on Israel
On October 1, Iran launched a two-wave missile attack in retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The strike involved 180 missiles, though Israeli military reports confirmed no casualties. Iran claimed the strikes targeted three military bases in the Tel Aviv area.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift retaliation, declaring that Iran had made a serious miscalculation and would face consequences.
The missile strikes, according to Israeli media, damaged several air force bases but did not affect any aircraft.
Israel Warns of ‘Lethal’ Retaliatory Strike on Iran
On October 9, Israel's Defense Minister issued a stern warning, stating that Israel's retaliation for the recent Iranian missile attack would be "lethal" and "surprising."
“Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said during a speech to troops. “Whoever strikes us will be harmed and pay a price.”
This comes as the Israeli military escalated operations in northern Gaza and launched a ground offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden held their first conversation in seven weeks, during which they discussed Israel's response to Iran’s attack, according to the White House press secretary.
Israel is expanding its week-long ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, intensifying its aggressive operations in Gaza, and considering a significant retaliatory strike on Iran in response to the missile barrage on October 1.
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