Fact Check: Three US B-52 bombers take off toward Iran? No, here are the facts

The United States and Iran are holding high-stakes talks in Oman aimed at easing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, after days of escalating threats and a large US military buildup in the Middle East.

Iran insists negotiations stay focused on nuclear issues, while the US wants a broader agenda, deep mistrust persists and war fears remain.

In the above context, a video of US B-52 bombers taking off is being widely shared on social media.

The video is shared with a caption suggesting that it shows US B-52 bombers taking off towards Iran.

A social media user shared the video with a text embedded on it that reads, “Urgent: Three B-52 aircraft have taken off for Iran. This aircraft will only take off in the event of war.”

SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video is old and is from 2003 when the aircraft took off from England.

On a Google reverse image search, we found that the screenshot of the video was shared by Reuters in an article published on April 9, 2016. However, the caption associated with the image read, “A US Air Force B-52 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, in this file photo taken March 23, 2003.”

We found that the photo was also shared by Getty Images. The caption suggested that the image was taken on March 21, 2003, when the U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber was taking off from RAF Fairford, England. However, the caption also suggested that there was no indication given as to the final destination of the aircraft.

Another website, Twin Cities, had also posted the image on January 5, 2017, with a caption that reads, “A USAF B-52 bomber takes off Friday, March 21, 2003, from RAF Fairford airbase in England. (AP Photo)”