ISLAMABAD: Social media users and some mainstream media outlets reported on Saturday that three heavy explosions were heard across Iran’s capital, Tehran.
However, independent fact-checking confirmed that the videos and reports circulating online do not show any new explosions in Tehran. The footage is old and unrelated to current events.
On Saturday, several posts on X, Facebook, Telegram and other social media platforms and some mainstream news outlets claimed that multiple explosions had rocked Iran’s capital.
Some social media users described the sounds as bombings, while others speculated about Israeli or US involvement amid ongoing unrest in Iran.
Tehran Rocked by Explosion
Residents report at least three massive blasts across the city, describing sounds “like bombing.”#WashingtonEye pic.twitter.com/QVKM9W5gv6
— Washington Eye (@washington_EY) January 17, 2026
One X user wrote: “Footage circulating online appears to show multiple explosions in Tehran, Iran.” Another post said: “BREAKING: Massive explosion reported from Tehran, details awaited — Mossad or CIA?”
BREAKING
Massive explosion reported from Tehran, details awaited
Mossad or CIA ?pic.twitter.com/SRH61igOsT
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) January 17, 2026
An X account named The Inquiry claimed that “unverified reports” had emerged of three explosions, accompanied by videos showing dark smoke rising over rooftops.
🔴 Unverified reports emerged today of three heavy explosions heard across Tehran, with residents describing the blasts as sounding like bombings and circulating videos showing dark smoke over rooftops.#Iran #Tehran #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/b4YI4c1dMX
— The Inquiry (@InquiryTh) January 17, 2026
Why the claim is false
There has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities of any explosions in Tehran.
WE News English contacted diplomatic sources and Iranian officials, who confirmed that no explosions occurred in Tehran.
Local residents also reported no such incidents. Major international media outlets found no evidence supporting the claims.
According to fact-checking, a video shared online and labelled “January 17, 2026 explosions in Tehran” is misleading.
The footage matches Israeli airstrikes carried out in mid-June 2025. Reuters has also flagged the video as reused and unrelated to current events.
One of the early promoters of the footage, Eli Afriat, later deleted his post and acknowledged that the video had been shared in error.
🚨BREAKING🚨:VIRAL TEHRAN EXPLOSION CLAIM DEBUNKED 🇮🇱⚠️🇮🇷
A video shared as “Jan 17, 2026 explosions in Tehran” is misleading. The footage matches Israeli airstrikes from mid-June 2025. No credible outlets report any explosions in Tehran today. Reuters has flagged this reuse. pic.twitter.com/PZ5UJx8f3G
— The_Independent (@TheIndeWire) January 17, 2026
No evidence from credible sources
Fact-checkers found that none of the viral posts were backed by verifiable sources. No emergency alerts, official statements, or confirmed reports indicated any explosions in Tehran on the claimed date.
The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread during periods of heightened tension.
