#FactCheck:Old 9/11 Videos Falsely Linked to Iran’s Attack on Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict
Research Wing
Innovation and Research
PUBLISHED ON
Mar 30, 2026
10
Executive Summary
Amid the ongoing war between the United States–Israel alliance and Iran since February 28, 2026, two videos are going viral across social media platforms. The clips show people running in panic, with visuals suggesting a large-scale attack. Users are sharing these videos with the claim that they depict Iran’s recent strikes on Israel. However, a research by the CyberPeace has found both claims to be false. The viral posts are misleading, as the videos are actually from the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, United States. They have no connection to the current conflict involving Iran or Israel.
Claim
A Facebook page titled ‘Bihar Ko Nihar’ shared one of the videos on March 25, 2026, with the caption: “Iran has launched its most powerful attack on Israel so far. Thousands of soldiers are reported dead, triggering massive protests within the country, and Israel appears completely helpless.” Similarly, another video is being circulated with the false claim that Iran has launched a missile attack on the United States.
The above claims are being widely shared by multiple users across different social media platforms. Archived versions of these posts are also available.
To verify the authenticity of the videos, keyframes were extracted and analyzed using Google Lens. The first viral clip was traced back to a YouTube video uploaded on September 11, 2007, by a channel named ‘Jumperwtc’, which clearly identifies the footage as being from the World Trade Center attacks in the United States. This confirms that the viral video is a segment from that older footage.
For the second video, reverse image searches led to a report published on CBS8.com on September 10, 2021, where the same visuals were found. Further reesearch revealed that the footage also appears in a video uploaded on September 11, 2021, by the YouTube channel ‘CBS 8 San Diego’. The viral segment can be seen around the 1:11 timestamp in that video.
Both viral videos being shared as recent attacks by Iran on Israel or the United States are actually old clips from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The claims are false, and the videos are unrelated to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Recent advances in space exploration and technology have increased the need for space laws to control the actions of governments and corporate organisations. India has been attempting to create a robust legal framework to oversee its space activities because it is a prominent player in the international space business. In this article, we’ll examine India’s current space regulations and compare them to the situation elsewhere in the world.
Space Laws in India
India started space exploration with Aryabhtta, the first satellite, and Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut, and now has a prominent presence in space as many international satellites are now launched by India. NASA and ISRO work closely on various projects
India currently lacks any space-related legislation. Only a few laws and regulations, such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Act of 1969 and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) Guidelines of 2011, regulate space-related operations. However, more than these rules and regulations are essential to control India’s expanding space sector. India is starting to gain traction as a prospective player in the global commercial space sector. Authorisation, contracts, dispute resolution, licencing, data processing and distribution related to earth observation services, certification of space technology, insurance, legal difficulties related to launch services, and stamp duty are just a few of the topics that need to be discussed. The necessary statute and laws need to be updated to incorporate space law-related matters into domestic laws.
India’s Space Presence
Space research activities were initiated in India during the early 1960s when satellite applications were in experimental stages, even in the United States. With the live transmission of the Tokyo Olympic Games across the Pacific by the American Satellite ‘Syncom-3’ demonstrating the power of communication satellites, Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of the Indian space programme, quickly recognised the benefits of space technologies for India.
As a first step, the Department of Atomic Energy formed the INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) under the leadership of Dr Sarabhai and Dr Ramanathan in 1962. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed on August 15, 1969. The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national needs. It is one of the six largest space agencies in the world. The Department of Space (DOS) and the Space Commission were set up in 1972, and ISRO was brought under DOS on June 1, 1972.
Since its inception, the Indian space programme has been orchestrated well. It has three distinct elements: satellites for communication and remote sensing, the space transportation system and application programmes. Two major operational systems have been established – the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for telecommunication, television broadcasting, and meteorological services and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) for monitoring and managing natural resources and Disaster Management Support.
Global Scenario
The global space race has been on and ever since the moon landing in 1969, and it has now transformed into the new cold war among developed and developing nations. The interests and assets of a nation in space need to be safeguarded by the help of effective and efficient policies and internationally ratified laws. All nations with a presence in space do not believe in good for all policy, thus, preventive measures need to be incorporated into the legal system. A thorough legal framework for space activities is being developed by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). The “Outer Space Treaty,” a collection of five international agreements on space law, establishes the foundation of international space law. The agreements address topics such as the peaceful use of space, preventing space from becoming militarised, and who is responsible for damage caused by space objects. Well-established space laws govern both the United States and the United Kingdom. The National Aeronautics and Space Act, which was passed in the US in 1958 and established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to oversee national space programmes, is in place there. The Outer Space Act of 1986 governs how UK citizens and businesses can engage in space activity.
Conclusion
India must create a thorough legal system to govern its space endeavours. In the space sector, there needs to be a legal framework to avoid ambiguity and confusion, which may have detrimental effects. The Pacific use of space for the benefit of humanity should be covered by domestic space legislation in India. The overall scenario demonstrates the requirement for a clearly defined legal framework for the international acknowledgement of a nation’s space activities. India is fifth in the world for space technology, which is an impressive accomplishment, and a strong legal system will help India maintain its place in the space business.
The Sexual Harassment of minors in cyberspace has become a matter of grave concern that needs to be addressed. Sextortion is the practice of extorting individuals into sharing explicit and sexual content under the threat of exposure. This grim activity has evolved into a pervasive issue on several social media platforms, particularly Instagram. To combat this illicit act, big corporate giants such as Meta have deployed a comprehensive ‘nudity protection’ feature, leveraging the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms to ascertain and address the rapid distribution of unsolicited explicit content.
The Meta Initiative presented a multifaceted approach to improve user safety, especially for young people online, who are more vulnerable to predatory behavior.
The Salient Feature
Instagram’s use of advanced AI algorithms to automatically identify and blur out explicit images shared within direct messages is the driving force behind this initiative. This new safety measure serves two essential purposes.
Preventing dissemination of sensitive content - The feature, when enabled, obstructs the visibility of sensitive personal pictures and also limits dissemination of the same.
Empower minors to exercise more control over their social media - This cutting feature comes with the ability to disable the nudity protection at the will of users, allowing users, including minors, to regulate their exposure to age-inappropriate and harmful materials online. The nudity protection feature is enabled for all users under 18 as a default setting on Instagram globally. This measure guarantees a baseline standard of security for the most vulnerable demographic of users. Adults are able to exercise more autonomy over the feature, receiving periodic prompts for its voluntary activationWhen this feature detects an explicit image, it automatically blurs the image with cautionary overlay, enabling recipients to make an informed decision about whether or not they wish to view the flagged content. The decision to introduce this feature is an interesting and sensitive approach to balancing individual agency with institutionalising online protection.
The cutting-edge nudity protection feature is a crucial element of Instagram’s new strategy and is supported by a comprehensive set of measures devised to tackle sextortion and ensure a safe cyber environment for its users:
Awareness Drives and Safety Tips - Users sending and receiving sexually explicit content are directed to a screen with curated safety tips to ensure complete user awareness and inspire due diligence. These safety tips are critical in raising awareness about the risks of sharing sensitive content and inculcating responsible online behaviour.
New Technology to Identify Sextortionists - Meta Platforms are constantly evolving, and new sophisticated algorithms are introduced to better detect malicious accounts engaged in possible sextortion. These proactive measures check for any predatory behaviour so that such threats can be neutralised before they escalate and do grave harm.
Superior Reporting and Support Mechanisms - Instagram is implementing new technology to bolster its reporting mechanisms so that users reporting concerns pertaining to nudity, sexual exploitation and threats are instantaneously directed to local child safety authorities for necessary support and assistance.
This new sophisticated approach highlights Instagram's Commitment to forging a safer haven for users by addressing various aspects of this grim issue through the three-pronged strategy of detection, prevention and support.
User’s Safety and Accountability
The implementation of the nudity protection feature and various associated safety measures is Meta’s way of tackling the growing concern about user safety in a more proactive manner, especially when it concerns minors. Instagram’s experience with this feature will likely be the sandbox in which Meta tests its new user protection strategy and refines it before extending it to other platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
Critical Reception and Future Outlook
The nudity protection feature has been met with positive feedback from experts and online safety advocates, commending Instagram for taking a proactive stance against sextortion and exploitation. However, critics also emphasise the need for continued innovation, transparency, and accountability to effectively address evolving threats and ensure comprehensive protection for all users.
Conclusion
As digital spaces continue to evolve, Meta Platforms must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to adapting its safety measures and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to stay ahead of emerging challenges. Ongoing investment in advanced technology, user education, and robust support systems will be crucial in maintaining a secure and responsible online environment. Ultimately, Instagram's nudity protection feature represents a significant step forward in the fight against online sexual exploitation and abuse. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, fostering user awareness, and implementing comprehensive safety protocols, Meta Platforms is setting a positive example for other social media platforms to prioritise user safety and combat predatory behaviour in digital spaces.
A photo that has gone viral on social media alleges that the Indian company Patanjali founded by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev is selling a product called “Recipe Mix for Beef Biryani”. The image incorporates Ramdev’s name in its promotional package. However, upon looking into the matter, CyberPeace Research Team revealed that the viral image is not genuine. The original image was altered and it has been wrongly claimed which does not even exist. Patanjali is an Indian brand designed for vegetarians and an intervention of Ayurveda. For that reason, the image in context is fake and misleading.
Claims:
An image circulating on social media shows Patanjali selling "Recipe Mix for Beef Biryani”.
Upon receiving the viral image, the CyberPeace Research Team immediately conducted an in-depth investigation. A reverse image search revealed that the viral image was taken from an unrelated context and digitally altered to be associated with the fabricated packaging of "National Recipe Mix for Biryani".
The analysis of the image confirmed signs of manipulation. Patanjali, a well-established Indian brand known for its vegetarian products, has no record of producing or promoting a product called “Recipe mix for Beef Biryani”. We also found a similar image with the product specified as “National Biryani” in another online store.
Comparing both photos, we found that there are several differences.
Further examination of Patanjali's product catalog and public information verified that this viral image is part of a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation, likely to damage the reputation of the brand and its founder. The entire claim is based on a falsified image aimed at provoking controversy, and therefore, is categorically false.
Conclusions:
The viral image associating Patanjali and Baba Ramdev with "Recipe mix for Beef Biryani" is entirely fake. This image was deliberately manipulated to spread false information and damage the brand’s reputation. Social media users are encouraged to fact-check before sharing any such claims, as the spread of misinformation can have significant consequences. The CyberPeace Research Team emphasizes the importance of verifying information before circulating it to avoid spreading false narratives.
Claim: Patanjali and Baba Ramdev endorse "Recipe mix for Beef Biryani"
Claimed on: X
Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
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