Ex-'Israeli' PM’s son photo misused in Iran protest victims graphic
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Image falsely claimed to show a child killed in Iranian protests is actually son of former 'Israeli' PM Naftali Bennett.
- Incident highlights challenges of verifying information amid internet blackouts and competing narratives.
An 'Israeli' newspaper reported Saturday that a photo circulated by groups linked to the Iranian opposition, allegedly showing a child killed in recent protests, was in fact of David Bennett, son of former 'Israeli' Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
The image, purportedly of a minor named Kourosh Shirini killed by security forces in Tehran, had been taken during a family trip in southern 'Israel' and previously posted on Bennett’s Instagram account.
Iranian state-affiliated media quickly criticized the opposition, saying the image’s use aimed to mislead public perception. The newspaper noted the incident underscores “the chaos and difficulty of fact-chaecking amid internet shutdowns inside Iran.”
The publication also described the error as part of an escalating “narrative war” between the Iranian regime and its opponents over the scale of casualties, with both sides accused of spreading misleading information.
No immediate comment was issued by Iranian authorities regarding the report.
Protests in Iran erupted in late December 2025 over a sharp devaluation of the local currency and worsening economic conditions. The demonstrations began in Tehran and spread to other cities, with President Masoud Bezhikian acknowledging public dissatisfaction and promising corrective measures.
Read more: Iran threatens US, 'Israeli' soldiers with graphic street banners in Tehran
The unrest comes amid ongoing pressure from the United States and 'Israel' on Tehran. In June 2025, 'Israel' launched a 12-day military campaign against Iranian sites, including military, nuclear, and civilian infrastructure, while Tehran retaliated with strikes on 'Israeli' intelligence and military facilities. The US also targeted Iranian nuclear sites, leading to a temporary ceasefire between 'Israel' and Iran on June 24.
