This Image Does Not Depict an Israeli Attack on Tehran

Misbar investigated the circulating image and found the claim to be misleading.

A Large Fire Erupted at Tehran Oil Refinery in June 2021

Misbar's team found that the image, dating back to June 2021, captures a fire that erupted at an oil refinery located south of Tehran. 

Mansour Darajati, the director of crisis management for Tehran Province, stated on official television that the blaze was caused by a leak in a liquefied gas pipeline at the facility. He also mentioned that an investigation would be initiated to determine the cause of the fire. According to the official news agency IRNA, the refinery, which has been operational since 1968, has a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

The incident occurred just hours after the Iranian navy announced the sinking of one of its largest ships, measuring over200 meters long, in the Gulf of Oman, following exhausting firefighting efforts to control a blaze on board.

Israel Launches Strikes Against Iran, Iraq, and Syria

The circulation of the claim came after Israel conducted attacks against Iran, resulting in the deaths of four Iranian soldiers. The strikes also targeted simultaneous sites in Iraq and Syria, allegedly focused on interests linked to Iran.

Israel claims that the campaign, which began early Saturday morning, was aimed at military installations and acted as a response to assaults from “Iran and its proxies.” In retaliation, Iran has vowed to continue defending itself against Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iranian officials. On Friday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly gave their approval for these military plans during a discussion with cabinet ministers.

Israeli media indicated that a warning was issued to Iran on Friday, advising against any retaliation. The first wave of attacks on Tehran commenced after 2am on Saturday (22:30 GMT on Friday), followed by a second wave three hours later, impacting Tehran and the provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan, as reported by Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar from Tehran. By around 6 am (02:30 GMT), Israel announced that it had “completed” the strikes and met its objectives. Additionally, early Saturday, Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes on military sites in central and southern Syria, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA, though this has not been confirmed by Israel. Explosions were also noted in Basra, Iraq, while Iraqi airspace was temporarily closed; officials later clarified that the blasts had occurred across the border in Iran.

Casualties Rise in Northern Gaza as Israeli Attack Hits Residential Area

At least 35 Palestinians were killed in a strike on a residential neighborhood in besieged northern Gaza, specifically in Beit Lahiya, where several buildings were destroyed, and the death toll is anticipated to increase. 

Additionally, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital reported to Al Jazeera that the Israeli army detained at least 30 medical personnel during a military operation at the facility.

Since October 7,2023, at least 42,847 people have been killed and 100,544 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza. In Israel, an estimated 1,139 individuals were killed.

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