Shayan Sardarizadeh
@shayan86.bsky.social
BBC Verify senior journalist | verification, AI, disinformation, conspiracy theories, open source investigations | [email protected]
Previously unseen photos showing Jeffrey Epstein’s body lying on a stretcher and being attended to by medics and a close-up of his neck showing visible signs of injuriy in the immediate aftermath of his death have appeared in the newly released Epstein files.
February 5, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Previously unseen photos showing Jeffrey Epstein’s body lying on a stretcher and being attended to by medics and a close-up of his neck showing visible signs of injuriy in the immediate aftermath of his death have appeared in the newly released Epstein files.
A number of AI-generated images have been circulating on social media falsely claiming to show a young Zohran Mamdani and his mother posing alongside Jeffrey Epstein.
This has led to Alex Jones and others baselessly claiming that the fake images indicate Mamdani might be related to Epstein.
This has led to Alex Jones and others baselessly claiming that the fake images indicate Mamdani might be related to Epstein.
February 3, 2026 at 12:20 AM
A number of AI-generated images have been circulating on social media falsely claiming to show a young Zohran Mamdani and his mother posing alongside Jeffrey Epstein.
This has led to Alex Jones and others baselessly claiming that the fake images indicate Mamdani might be related to Epstein.
This has led to Alex Jones and others baselessly claiming that the fake images indicate Mamdani might be related to Epstein.
We analysed 392 photos of victims leaked to us after they were displayed in a mortuary in Tehran and were able to identify 326 people. Sources claimed the true number of dead at the mortuary ran into the thousands.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
January 21, 2026 at 9:52 AM
We analysed 392 photos of victims leaked to us after they were displayed in a mortuary in Tehran and were able to identify 326 people. Sources claimed the true number of dead at the mortuary ran into the thousands.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
During a speech in Tehran today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "several thousand people were killed" during the recent protests by those he described as "seditionists", confirming for the first time that the death toll from the protests is in the thousands.
January 17, 2026 at 6:53 PM
During a speech in Tehran today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "several thousand people were killed" during the recent protests by those he described as "seditionists", confirming for the first time that the death toll from the protests is in the thousands.
Iran's government has imposed a near total internet shutdown on more than 90 million Iranians since last Thursday, almost entirely cutting them off from the outside world for more than a week.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
January 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Iran's government has imposed a near total internet shutdown on more than 90 million Iranians since last Thursday, almost entirely cutting them off from the outside world for more than a week.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
There is no evidence that China has moved its aircraft carrier Fujian to the Strait of Taiwan following the seizure of Nicolas Maduro by the US.
January 6, 2026 at 12:44 AM
There is no evidence that China has moved its aircraft carrier Fujian to the Strait of Taiwan following the seizure of Nicolas Maduro by the US.
This viral video claims to show US flags being waved in Venezuela to celebrate the US seizure of Nicolas Maduro.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 11:06 PM
This viral video claims to show US flags being waved in Venezuela to celebrate the US seizure of Nicolas Maduro.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
This video claims to show a billboard of Nicolas Maduro being brought down by Venezuelans after the US seizure of him.
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
January 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
This video claims to show a billboard of Nicolas Maduro being brought down by Venezuelans after the US seizure of him.
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US seizure of Nicolas Maduro - 5 January
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
January 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US seizure of Nicolas Maduro - 5 January
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
This video claims to show a US military helicopter during the operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
January 5, 2026 at 1:37 AM
This video claims to show a US military helicopter during the operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
More AI-generated images of Nicolas Maduro being detained by the US military and transferred to the US have been shared online.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
January 4, 2026 at 11:28 PM
More AI-generated images of Nicolas Maduro being detained by the US military and transferred to the US have been shared online.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
This video, viewed over 600,000 times, claims to show US troops landing in Caracas to capture Maduro.
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 10:33 PM
This video, viewed over 600,000 times, claims to show US troops landing in Caracas to capture Maduro.
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
January 4, 2026 at 7:39 PM
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US capture of Nicolas Maduro - 4 January
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
January 4, 2026 at 7:29 PM
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US capture of Nicolas Maduro - 4 January
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This widely shared post, which claims to show Venezuelans celebrating the fall of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, is false.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This widely shared post, which claims to show Venezuelans celebrating the fall of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, is false.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
More AI-generated images of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being detained by US military and drug enforcement agents have been shared online.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
January 3, 2026 at 10:34 PM
More AI-generated images of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being detained by US military and drug enforcement agents have been shared online.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
This video, viewed millions of times, falsely claims to show the US military operation in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
January 3, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This video, viewed millions of times, falsely claims to show the US military operation in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
This is an AI-manipulated version of a real video of the US military operation in Venezuela.
While the real clip does appear to be genuine, this specific version has been manipulated using Grok to add dramatic explosions and strikes.
While the real clip does appear to be genuine, this specific version has been manipulated using Grok to add dramatic explosions and strikes.
January 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
This is an AI-manipulated version of a real video of the US military operation in Venezuela.
While the real clip does appear to be genuine, this specific version has been manipulated using Grok to add dramatic explosions and strikes.
While the real clip does appear to be genuine, this specific version has been manipulated using Grok to add dramatic explosions and strikes.
Every clip in this 2:38-minute video montage shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel in 2024 and 2025, none of clips are linked to US strikes on Venezuela this morning.
January 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Every clip in this 2:38-minute video montage shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel in 2024 and 2025, none of clips are linked to US strikes on Venezuela this morning.
This video falsely claims to show US strikes on a port in the Venezuelan capital Caracas tonight.
But the clip dates back to October 2024, and shows Iranian missile strikes on the Nevatim air base in Israel.
But the clip dates back to October 2024, and shows Iranian missile strikes on the Nevatim air base in Israel.
January 3, 2026 at 5:58 PM
This video falsely claims to show US strikes on a port in the Venezuelan capital Caracas tonight.
But the clip dates back to October 2024, and shows Iranian missile strikes on the Nevatim air base in Israel.
But the clip dates back to October 2024, and shows Iranian missile strikes on the Nevatim air base in Israel.
This video falsely claims to show US strikes on the Fort Tiuna military site in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, it shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel during the 12-day war in June.
In fact, it shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel during the 12-day war in June.
January 3, 2026 at 5:56 PM
This video falsely claims to show US strikes on the Fort Tiuna military site in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, it shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel during the 12-day war in June.
In fact, it shows Iranian missile strikes on Israel during the 12-day war in June.
THREAD: I'll fact-check all the viral misinformation about the US military operation in Venezuela in this thread
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
January 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
THREAD: I'll fact-check all the viral misinformation about the US military operation in Venezuela in this thread
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
Protesters march down Shariati Street in the northern city of Babol on the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/VCnEV1SaqFDL...
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/VCnEV1SaqFDL...
January 2, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Protesters march down Shariati Street in the northern city of Babol on the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/VCnEV1SaqFDL...
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/VCnEV1SaqFDL...
Protesters on Shariati Street in the northern city of Babol chant "people of Iran, scream and shout for your rights" on the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Gq1VNm5Ue5Dg...
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Gq1VNm5Ue5Dg...
January 2, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Protesters on Shariati Street in the northern city of Babol chant "people of Iran, scream and shout for your rights" on the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Gq1VNm5Ue5Dg...
Video: @vahid.online
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Gq1VNm5Ue5Dg...
Protesters gather outside a government-linked building in the city of Lordegan, in the western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, as the sound of an explosion is heard in the background.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/HDLF1bL4mD1G...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/HDLF1bL4mD1G...
January 2, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Protesters gather outside a government-linked building in the city of Lordegan, in the western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, as the sound of an explosion is heard in the background.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/HDLF1bL4mD1G...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/HDLF1bL4mD1G...