Analysis of the video reveals several visual inconsistencies and patterns consistent with AI generation
Multiple users, mostly appearing to be pro-Iranian accounts, were sharing a clip since Thursday, claiming that it shows an explosion at the headquarters of Mossad — Israel’s elite foreign intelligence agency — in Tel Aviv, caused by an Iranian strike. However, the clip is AI-generated.
The Middle East war has entered its 35th day with no let-up in hostilities. The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including missile systems and nuclear-related facilities. The strikes marked a significant escalation in tensions between the countries, following a period of heightened regional instability and previous confrontations.
Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases, and other locations in the region. Several senior Iranian officials have been killed in targeted strikes, including national security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani on March 17, 2026.
How it started
On April 2, an X account that frequently shares AI-generated content based on past posts shared a video of huge plumes of smoke rising from a high-rise building. “Breaking: Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv has been completely vaporised,” the caption reads.
The post gained over two million views.
A pro-Iranian account shared the same video with the caption: “Please, for the love of all that’s holy, tell me this is true.”
The post garnered 1.7m views.
The post was further amplified by multiple other accounts on X, as seen here, here, here and here, collectively receiving more than 18,000 views.
Iranian state-affiliated media outlet Tasnim News Agency also shared the same video with the caption: “Mossad Headquarters in Tel Aviv obliterated. Iranian military forces have destroyed the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv, with a strike that was executed with precision.”
The post gathered over 15,000 views.
Methodology
A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
An analysis of the video revealed several visual inconsistencies: firstly, cars can be seen moving in the viral clip, unaffected by a blast of such large proportions. Secondly, the smoke plume rises in a highly uniform formation without natural dispersion, which is inconsistent with real-world fire dynamics.
Moreover, a blast this intense, from what can be seen in the viral video, would create stronger lighting changes and flickering reflections across multiple surfaces, all of which are missing in the clip.
Running the clip on AI-detection tools showed that Undetectable AI flagged it as 96 per cent AI-generated, while Detect Video returned inconclusive results.
A reverse image search of the clip yielded an Instagram post dated March 4, 2026, which shared the same video.
“Breaking: Renewed bombardment reported in Tehran as explosions echo across multiple districts overnight. Thick smoke rises above parts of the skyline while authorities assess the scale of damage.
“The situation remains fluid with casualty details yet to be officially confirmed,” reads its caption.
Further results led to an X post, dated March 1, 2026, by an Israeli journalist that featured an image of the same video, with the title: “Direct hits on Tel Aviv and Haifa. Casualties. Huge booms in Jerusalem.”
The same clip was also found in a Threads post dated February 28, 2026, wherein the same video was shared. However, it lacked the same details as the viral clip, i.e. a missing building.
This proved that the video circulating on X since April 2 showed visual patterns consistent with AI generation.
Moreover, a keyword search yielded no news reports from credible international media outlets that reported an attack on the Mossad headquarters.
Fact-check status: False
The claim that a viral clip shows a blast at the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv is false.
The video is AI-generated.
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This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.
