A video is being widely shared on social media in which an oil tanker is seen on fire in the sea.
The video is shared with a caption suggesting that it shows a US military strike on an Iranian oil tanker.
A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “BIG BREAKING. Just moments ago, the US bombed an Iranian oil tanker. The US stated that it was exercising restraint during the current ceasefire but was forced to take action because of the surprise attack from Iran.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video shows an oil tanker on fire in Iraqi waters after being targeted by an Iranian explosive boat.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was shared by a YouTube channel on March 12. The video was shared with a caption that reads, “Iran attacks more oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz: Images of a burning vessel near Iraq.”
We further found that the screenshot of the video was also shared by The Times of India on March 12.
According to the report, two oil tankers caught fire off Iraq’s Basra coast after explosions that officials suspect may have been caused by an attack. One person was killed, while all 38 crew members were evacuated. The vessels, carrying Iraqi crude oil, were anchored near each other when the blasts occurred, triggering massive fires and raising concerns over regional shipping security and oil supplies.
We found that the screenshot of the video was also shared by Militarnyi on March 12.
The report suggests that oil tankers near Iraq’s coast were reportedly struck by Iranian drones, causing major fires and disrupting shipping in the Persian Gulf. Iran claimed responsibility, saying it targeted vessels linked to regional energy operations. The attacks heightened tensions in the Gulf, raised concerns over oil supply routes, and added to fears of a wider regional conflict affecting global energy markets.
Has Iran attacked a US airbase?
According to media reports, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it targeted a US airbase after alleging American forces launched pre-dawn strikes near Bandar Abbas Airport. The escalation followed reported clashes near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where Iran accused US-linked vessels of violating maritime rules. The incident has intensified tensions despite a fragile ceasefire, raising concerns over regional security and global oil shipments.
Since the visuals precede the viral claim, we can ascertain that the claim is false.