How to Spot Fakes in Iran War Videos: 70M-View Missile Strike Clip Is From a Game

A clip claiming to show an Iranian missile striking a US fighter jet amid the US-Israel war in Iran has racked up 70 million views on social media. It is, however, footage from a video game. As disinformation floods platforms, the episode underscores the urgent need for guidance on how to spot fakes in Iran war videos.

The 70 Million-view Missile Strike Deception

The video surfaced shortly after US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian sites, with many users sharing it as authentic combat footage. BBC News asked: 'Can you tell which of these videos from the US-Israel war in Iran are fake?' in a recent Instagram reel, noting that one video, which has got 70 million views and claims to be of an Iranian missile attacking a US fighter jet, is actually from a video game.

Fact-checkers at PolitiFact and Full Fact have identified similar clips as either AI-generated or recycled from earlier conflicts, including June 2025 Israeli actions on Iranian bases. This is not isolated.

Modern video games such as Arma 3 and DCS World have graphics so advanced that their footage is routinely passed off as real. The missile strike clip in question shows aircraft manoeuvres and explosion physics that match simulation software rather than live combat recordings.

Spotting Video Game Footage in Conflict Videos

Experts point to several reliable indicators. First, lighting and shadows often fail to match the scene, with explosions casting inconsistent highlights. Missile paths frequently follow zig-zagging routes characteristic of game engines rather than real ballistics. Reverse image searches almost always lead back to YouTube gaming channels, where creators add disclaimers such as 'this is a virtual simulation and does not represent real events'.

Similar fakes plagued coverage of the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, where Arma 3 clips gained millions of views before being exposed. Gameplay from the video game Arma is also susceptible to misuse during armed conflict.

Viewers can also scan for residual game interface elements like HUD markers or health bars that editing misses. Geolocation and terrain analysis reveal mismatches, such as landscapes that do not match known Iranian military sites or Israeli cities under attack. With verified footage from the current war limited due to security restrictions, these simulations fill the information gap all too convincingly.

AI Tricks and Recycled Clips Add to the Confusion

Artificial intelligence has taken the deception to new levels. AI clips often display warped features. The AI clips featured warped door frames and body parts, unrealistic background displays and unnatural reactions to the explosions by people and items in the room. Detection tools like Google's SynthID identify watermarks proving synthetic origin.

Recycled footage from previous Iranian missile barrages in 2024 is regularly repurposed with updated captions claiming fresh strikes. Fact-checkers report that such compilations have collectively amassed tens of millions of views across platforms before removal. The volume of such content has overwhelmed moderation teams on major platforms.

The most effective approach is methodical verification. Slow the video to check for unnatural movement or frame rates. Cross-check against satellite imagery released by independent analysts or official military statements. As of 4 March 2026, with the conflict still evolving, knowing how to spot fakes in Iran war videos has become essential to avoid spreading misinformation.