This Photo Does Not Show the Aftermath of Iranian Attack on U.S. Military Ship
The Claim
A photo shows the Aftermath of Iranian Attack on U.S. Military Ship.
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Social media users widely shared a photo alleging a recent incident where Iranian missiles hit the American Navy intelligence ship 'USS Liberty' near Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. More than 30 American sailors have lost their lives in the attack.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral image and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the photo to be outdated and unrelated to the recent unrest between Iran and America.
Photo of the Attacked Ship Dates Back to 2021
The photo in question has been circulating since at least 2021 and allegedly depicts the ex-USS Ingraham, destroyed as part of a military exercise.
The photo in question was uploaded to a published article on the U.S. Naval website on August 25, 2021.
The website also uploaded other photos of the sunken ship from the same incident.
Moreover, the United States Navy has released a video showing the sinking exercise (SINKEX) of the former USS Ingraham, the last vessel of the "Oliver Hazard Perry" class frigate to be built.
During the exercise, the frigate's hull was targeted by a variety of weapons, including a Mk.48 torpedo fired by the Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine USS Chicago. This torpedo strike effectively split the target's hull in two.
The SINKEX, conducted as part of the Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021, aimed to demonstrate various long-range maritime strike capabilities possessed by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Israel's Attack on Iran’s Consulate in Syria
An Israeli airstrike conducted on Monday reportedly destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, resulting in the deaths of two Iranian generals and five officers, as confirmed by Iranian officials. This strike is seen as a significant escalation in Israel's targeting of military officials affiliated with Iran.
Among those killed in the airstrike in Syria were Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who previously led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016, as well as his deputy, Gen. Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi, along with five other officers, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Israel, which typically refrains from acknowledging strikes against Iranian targets, declined to comment on the incident in Syria.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating recently, prompting concerns about a potential full-scale war.
Hezbollah extended condolences to Iran for Zahedi’s death, criticizing Israel and asserting that targeting leaders will not deter resistance. Hezbollah vowed that the killing would not go unpunished, promising retaliation against Israel.
The U.S. Refuted Its Involvement in the Attack
Following the attack, the United States swiftly conveyed a message to Iran, disavowing any involvement in the attack.
However, this disclaimer may not suffice to shield the U.S. from potential retaliation aimed at its forces in the region. A senior U.S. commander issued a warning on Wednesday regarding the peril faced by American troops.
The Biden administration maintains that it was not informed in advance of the airstrike on Monday. Nonetheless, given the close military ties between the United States and Israel, the U.S. remains intricately linked to Israel’s military actions.
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