Amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, a video circulating online claims to depict a US attack on Iranian Army headquarters, showing a building engulfed in flames. However, an investigation reveals this claim to be false.
The viral clip, which has gained significant traction, shows a night-time view of a large building ablaze. It has been shared with the assertion that it shows the IRGC headquarters in Tehran being destroyed by US strikes. This surfaced following reports of explosions on Iran’s Kish and Qeshm islands, as well as in Bushehr and Bandar Abbas. Iran stated it retaliated by targeting US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, and attacking two oil supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Upon fact-checking, it was determined that while the video itself is authentic, the accompanying claim is inaccurate. A reverse image search of the footage identified a longer version published by USA Today on November 26, 2025. This report clarified that the video actually shows a major fire that occurred in Hong Kong on that date. The blaze consumed several high-rise towers in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries or disappearances, marking it as one of Hong Kong’s most devastating fires. The same video was also posted on Instagram on the day of the incident by InMediaHK, a media organization based in Hong Kong.
The video’s appearance coincided with the US initiating a third round of military strikes against Iran on Saturday, July 11. This action followed accusations that Tehran had attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes came less than 24 hours after the Trump administration had warned of repercussions if Iran did not cease its assaults on the vital shipping route. US officials had explicitly demanded a public commitment from Iran to keep the strategic strait open and to stop targeting commercial vessels. One US official stated, “We want them to publicly say that they will stop shooting at ships…every channel in the strait will be open.” Another official issued a stern warning to Tehran, implying severe consequences for non-compliance.
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