Image of Iranian Protests Shared as Recent Demonstrations and Al-Quds Day
The Claim
An image depicts recent Iranian protests on International Al-Quds Day.
News posted on
Emerging story
Social media accounts across the MENA region, particularly Twitter, are circulating an image published by the Israeli newspaper “Maariv” as one of the ongoing protests in Iran. Users commented on the photo published by "Maariv," that it is not from the ongoing protests in Iran, but rather dates to International Al-Quds Day.
Photo Description: A screenshot of the circulating claim.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading.
The photo is not from recent protests in Iran, nor is it from the International Al-Quds Day rallies, which take place on the last Friday of Ramadan every year. The image was taken in January 2016 and depicts Iranian demonstrators in Tehran protesting the execution of Saudi cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The news was covered by Reuters, as shown in the screenshot below.
Execution of Shiite Cleric Nimr al-Nimr
In January 2016, Saudi Arabia announced the execution of Nimr al-Nimr for what it called terrorist crimes.
Photo Description: A screenshot of reports of the execution of Nimr Al-Nimr.
International Al-Quds Day
International Al-Quds Day falls on the last Friday of Ramadan every year. During the day, marches are held in several countries, denouncing the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Ongoing protests in Iran
Protests against the government's decision to raise the prices of some supplies have erupted in Iran since the beginning of May, beginning in Khuzestan province and spreading to several other provinces.
According to the findings and credible news reports, the image does not depict the recent Iran protests but rather dates back to January 2016.
Translated by Dina Faisal
