A dramatic image showing a huge cloud of smoke rising from an industrial site went viral on social media following Israeli airstrikes across Iran on June 13, 2025. Many users falsely claimed the image depicted damage to an Iranian oil refinery caused by the attacks.
However, a fact check reveals the image is not related to the recent events. It actually dates back to November 2020 and shows a fire at a petrochemical facility in Ilam, Iran.
One viral post on X declared: “BREAKING: ANOTHER EXPLOSION AT AN OIL REFINERY IN IRAN.” The post was shared by Sulaiman Ahmed, a self-proclaimed journalist known for frequently spreading disinformation about Middle Eastern affairs, particularly the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The misleading image was widely shared in different languages, including Spanish and Persian, further amplifying the misinformation. The viral circulation coincided with a significant escalation in Israel’s conflict with Hamas, during which Israeli forces targeted key Iranian nuclear installations, killing several top commanders and scientists. Iran described the strikes as a “declaration of war.”
While oil prices did spike after the strikes, energy analysts noted that prices were tempered by reports that oil production and infrastructure were not significantly impacted.
A reverse image search confirms the photo originated from coverage of a November 4, 2020 fire at a petrochemical plant in Ilam. According to Iran’s Rokna News Agency, the image shows a large smoke plume caused by a fire in a waste pond. The blaze was swiftly controlled, and no injuries were reported.
