Author: Shameneh Majid
Claim: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) posted an image of a missile with the Persian inscription: “In memory of the victims of Epstein Island.”
Fact: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the Iranian government have not shared any such photo to their official pages, and the viral image appears to be doctored.
A viral photo showing a Khorramshahr-4 missile with Farsi text saying: “به یاد قربانیان جزیره کیش”
On 11 March 2026 Dialogue Pakistan shared an image of an Iranian missile on Instagram and Facebook, stating that the IRGC had shared an image of a missile dedicated to the victims of the Epstein Island. The image features a missile with Persian text saying:
“به یاد قربانیان جزیره کیش” which translates to “In memory of the victims of Epstein Island” in English
The claim has been shared widely across other social media pages such as Blink News, @presstvchannel, and was also reported on by the Indian news outlet NDTV.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check found the claim to be false since there are inconsistencies in the appearance of the text compared to other images shared by the Iranian state media. The original image has been taken from an article published by Defence Security Asia, dated 6 February 2026, which dissected Iran’s missile power in light of escalating tensions.
The article included the following photo, which shows the powerful Khorramshahr-4, a ballistic missile, that is unmarked and has no text on it. It can be seen below:
Actual photo of the Khorramshahr-4 with no text.
Through a closer analysis of the viral photo as well as the use of AI tools like undetectable AI and Google Gemini, we were able to confirm that it was modified to add the text.
Undetectable AI, a tool for its speed, accuracy, and image detection capabilities, found that the image was 32% real, but “Likely created by AI” as can be seen below.
Results from Undetectable AI.
Additionally, Google Gemini, another powerful generative AI tool with advanced features like the Nano Banana technology and SynthID, which is a tool to detect the use of generative AI, also provided a detailed analysis of why the image seemed modified by AI, and likely by using Gemini itself. It stated that in addition to other aspects, in the original versions of such photos, that specific area of the nose cone is either blank or contains technical serial numbers, not handwritten political slogans. Here are the results and further analysis:
Screenshot of text conversation with Google Gemini regarding the image being doctored.
In addition to using these AI detectors, Soch Fact Check also conducted a close visual analysis of the viral photo, finding certain inconsistencies and indicators that it had been digitally modified. Here are our findings and conclusions using Gemini’s input:
- The Persian text shows signs of being digitally overlaid onto the missile. Gemini specifically explained: “The missile has a matte, slightly grainy metallic finish. Real handwriting (with a marker or paint) would interact with that texture, showing slight variations in ink thickness or skips where the surface is uneven. Here, the text is perfectly uniform in color and ‘floats’ over the surface.”
- While slogans are sometimes written on military equipment, the lighting, texture, and position of the text in this image do not align with the curved surface of the missile. As explained by Gemini: “Notice the light source hitting the missile from the top-left. A physical object like ink or paint on that surface would still be affected by that light. However, the digital text lacks any subtle highlights or shadows that match the ambient lighting of the scene.”
Furthermore, there is no credible evidence or official reports on the Iranian government’s website or social media to suggest such a message was inscribed on a missile.
Therefore, Soch Fact Check rates the claim as false.
Virality
The claim appeared on Instagram here, here, here, here, and here, and on Threads here.
It appeared on Facebook here, here, here, here, here, and here. It was shared on X here, here, here, and here
Conclusion:
The claim is false. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) did not share any such image of a missile dedicated to Epstein Island victims.
Background images in cover photo: Dialogue Pakistan
To appeal against our fact-check, please send an email to appeals@sochfactcheck.com