An AI-generated image is falsely shared as Iran shooting down a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched attacks on more than a dozen targets across Iran under the codename Operation Rising Lion, with the stated objective of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Israel reportedly damaged key nuclear facilities and military installations, killing several of Iran’s top military leaders. In retaliation, Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel under the name Operation True Promise 3.
In the early hours of 22 June 2025, the United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran under Operation Midnight Hammer (here, here, here, here, and here). Seven B-2 bombers, along with submarine-launched missiles, targeted Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, causing extensive damage to underground enrichment structures. The US described the action as a pre-emptive measure aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Amid this, a photo (here, here, here and here) is going viral on social media claiming to show a crashed B-2 stealth bomber shot down by Iran. Let’s investigate the truth behind this footage.
Claim: The viral photo shows an American B-2 stealth bomber shot down by Iran.
Fact: The photo is AI-generated, and no credible reports confirm any B-2 bomber being shot down. In fact, a 23 June 2025 post by the White House showed B-2 bombers safely landing in Missouri after a mission. Hence the claim is FALSE.
Upon closely examining the viral photo, we noticed a design on the upper side of the jet’s wings. When compared with official visuals of the B-2 stealth bomber from the U.S. military’s official website, the design appears different. This inconsistency suggests that the photo does not represent a genuine B-2 stealth bomber.
To determine whether the photo was AI-generated, we extracted keyframes and ran them through AI detection tools such as isitai, AI or Not and WasItAI. All these tools indicated that the image was highly likely to be AI-generated.
Furthermore, we found no credible reports of a B-2 fighter jet being shot down. In fact, an X post by The White House dated 23 June 2025, showed B-2 bombers safely landing in Missouri after a strike over Iran, with the caption: “B-2 Bombers Safely Touch Down in Missouri After 36-Hour Iran Strike.” Notably, Iran has also not claimed to have shot down any B-2 bombers. This further confirms that the claim made in the viral photo is false.
To sum up, an AI-generated image of a fighter jet being shot down is falsely shared as evidence of Iran shooting down an American B-2 stealth bomber.