Claim: A video shows a building in Israel ablaze after it was struck by Iran.
Fact: The video was filmed during a fire at the Marina Pinnacle building in Dubai.
Following Iran’s multiple retaliatory strikes in Israel, a video (archive) was shared on Facebook on 18 June , which contained the following text: صبح صبح ایران نے اس ر یل کو نشتہ بیج دیا اس ريل
دیکھتے ہی دیکھتے ہو
نجائز ریاست ختم ہو جاۓ
گی”
[Translation: Iran sent breakfast to Israel early in the morning. Before your very eyes, tThis illegitimate state will be wiped out.]
Israel launches strikes in Iran
On 13 June, Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and, ballistic missile sites. The strike targeted Iranian nuclear scientists and senior military leadership; among those reportedly killed were Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards Chief Hossein Salami, and IRGC Aerospace Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, as well as six Iranian nuclear scientists. Israel targeted key energy sites, including a major oil depot, a natural gas field, and residential areas, resulting in at least 78 people being killed and over 300 injured, as of 13 June.
In response, Iran launched over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli targets. As of 24 June, the Associated Press reported that up to 24 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in Israel, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.
After Israel’s first wave of attacks on Iran, Trump denied direct US involvement but asserted that America “knew everything” about the plans. This was in contradiction to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s claim that Israel’s operation was “unilateral”. On 16 June, G7 leaders reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence, warning that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, and called for regional de-escalation.
The conflict has now entered its second week with the US officially entering the war on 21 June.
The US struck three main nuclear sites in Iran. US President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. Initially, Trump had reacted to Israel’s strikes by praising it as “excellent,” claiming they “hit hard” and warning Tehran that “more will come” unless Tehran agrees to a deal to halt its nuclear program.
Pakistan said that the US’ move violated international law and that diplomacy was the only way to resolve the crisis. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, “The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” the statement added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it a historic move that would prevent a dangerous regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi condemned the attacks as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, warning of serious consequences and asserting Iran’s right to self-defense.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the US action as a measure to counter a significant global threat, while urging Iran to return to diplomatic talks. China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong opposed the use of force, emphasising that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved militarily and that diplomacy still holds potential. Dmitry Medvedev of Russia mocked Trump’s actions, accusing him of launching a new war instead of securing peace, and dismissing any hope of him receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check questioned the authenticity of the viral claim as several Facebook users pointed out that the video was filmed in Dubai. A reverse-image search of keyframes led us to an Instagram post by the account @Mazhar4Justice, which shared the same video on 14 June. The caption of the post stated:
“🚨 BREAKING: Massive Fire in Dubai Skyscraper 🚨
A major fire broke out today in a 67-storey building in Dubai. Emergency response teams acted swiftly, and all residents were safely evacuated.
Thanks to the rapid efforts of civil defense teams, no casualties have been reported so far.
#DubaiFire #DubaiNews”
Soch Fact Check then searched for coverage of the incident and found multiple news reports confirming that a fire broke out at the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle building in Dubai around 9:30 pm on 13 June. Flames and debris were seen falling from the upper floors, with several fire trucks and ambulances dispatched to the scene. Firefighting efforts continued for nearly an hour after the blaze started. Other reports added that smoke continued to billow from the building the next morning as Dubai Civil Defence teams worked overnight to bring the fire under control.
We also reviewed additional footage of the incident available online, which further confirmed that the location in the viral video matches the site of the Dubai fire. It is not from Israel.
Virality
The video gained significant traction on Facebook, receiving over 90,000 likes and 11,000 shares. It was shared here, here, and here. Archived here, here, and here.
It was shared here (archive) on TikTok.
On YouTube, it was shared here (archive).
Conclusion: The viral video does not show a building in Israel damaged and ablaze after Iranian strikes. It was actually filmed during a fire at the Marina Pinnacle building in Dubai.
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Background image in cover photo: Bloomberg.com
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