Qassem Soleimani’s Funeral Misrepresented as 2026 Pro-Government Rally

New Delhi, January 9, 2026: A major misinformation campaign has been identified across social media platforms involving footage of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. On January 8, 2026, a video showing a massive “sea of people” in the city of Ahvaz began trending with the claim that it depicted a current rally held in support of Iran’s government. This video has been widely shared as evidence of “national unity” amidst reports of rising anti-government protests driven by the country’s severe economic crisis and record-high inflation.

Visuals From a Different Era

The reality behind the footage was quickly uncovered by digital fact-checkers who traced the visuals back to January 5, 2020. It was confirmed that the video actually depicts the funeral procession of Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a United States airstrike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. The original clips were shared six years ago by various news agencies and journalists to document the mourning of the senior Quds Force commander, making the current claims of a “2026 rally” entirely misleading.

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Context of the Misinformation

The timing of this “repurposed” video is highly significant, as it coincides with genuine public unrest in Iran. As of January 9, 2026, nationwide protests have been reported following a plunge in the Iranian rial and soaring costs of essential goods. It has been argued by political analysts that the 2020 funeral footage is being used by pro-government accounts to counter the narrative of widespread dissatisfaction and to create a false impression of massive popular support for the current clerical establishment.

A Recurring Target for Fact-Checkers

This is notably not the first time this specific funeral footage has been used to spread misinformation. It was recalled by investigators that the same video went viral in late 2020 with the false claim that it showed protests in Mangaluru, India, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The sheer scale of Soleimani’s funeral, which was attended by millions, has made it a favorite “stock video” for those looking to fabricate large-scale public gatherings for various political causes over the years.

The Importance of Digital Verification

As the video continues to circulate on platforms like X and Instagram, the public is being urged to verify the age of trending content before sharing. It was emphasized by media literacy groups that “old wine in new bottles” is a common tactic used to manipulate public perception during times of crisis. While some pro-government rallies did occur in Tehran in late December 2025, they were significantly smaller in scale than the 2020 events shown in the viral clip. The truth remains that the “millions” seen in the video were mourners from six years ago, not supporters of today’s economic policies.