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In a striking case of digital misinformation, a widely circulated video purportedly showing “thousands of Iranians fleeing Tehran to the mountains” has been debunked as footage from Nepal that predates the current Iranian protests.
The video, which shows hundreds of people scaling a mountainside, gained significant traction on social media platforms as tensions in Iran continue to escalate. One Facebook post sharing the clip dramatically claimed: “Thousands of Iranians are fleeing Tehran to the mountains, fearing for their very lives. Please pray for the people of Iran.”
Investigation reveals that the footage actually depicts residents of Nepal’s Dolpa district gathering to harvest yarsagumba, a rare medicinal fungus highly valued for its purported health benefits. Often referred to as “Himalayan Gold,” this prized natural resource grows at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters in the mountainous regions spanning Nepal, China/Tibet, Bhutan, and India.
The video’s true origin was traced to multiple social media accounts from Nepal. An Instagram account called MadeInNepal posted the identical footage on June 2, 2025, clearly identifying it as people in the Dolpa region participating in the seasonal yarsagumba harvest. This attribution was further supported by a Facebook page dedicated to the Dolpa district, which shared the same video on May 29, 2025.
Additional verification found the original video on TikTok account Nedo Yatri, which specified that the footage came from the Rup-Patan region of Nepal’s Dolpa district. The timing of these posts definitively places the video months before the current wave of anti-government demonstrations in Iran.
Yarsagumba’s significance extends beyond Nepal’s borders. According to the U.S. National Centre for Biotechnology Information, this fungus plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine and enjoys widespread popularity throughout Southeast Asia. The annual harvest represents a crucial economic activity for communities in Nepal’s remote mountainous regions, drawing large numbers of collectors during the season.
While the video itself is misattributed, it does coincide with legitimate reports of Iranians seeking refuge abroad. CNN and various regional news outlets have documented increasing numbers of Iranian citizens fleeing to neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, amid the ongoing political unrest and government crackdowns.
This incident highlights the increasingly complex challenge of information verification during international crises. As anti-government protests continue across Iran, social media platforms have become battlegrounds for both authentic documentation and misleading content. The rapid spread of this misattributed video demonstrates how easily out-of-context footage can be weaponized to shape public perception during politically sensitive moments.
Media literacy experts point to this case as emblematic of how crisis situations create fertile ground for misinformation. The emotional appeal of the false narrative – desperate citizens fleeing persecution – likely contributed to its viral spread, despite lacking verification.
For Iranian communities both within the country and abroad, such misinformation presents additional challenges during an already difficult period. While authentic reports of asylum-seeking continue to emerge from the region, this particular video represents a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying sources before sharing content related to ongoing humanitarian concerns.
The Dolpa footage, depicting a traditional economic activity in Nepal’s highlands, thus finds itself unexpectedly entangled in geopolitical narratives thousands of miles away – a reminder of content’s vulnerability to recontextualization in our interconnected digital landscape.
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10 Comments
I appreciate the effort to get to the bottom of this. It’s concerning how easily misinformation can spread, even about serious events. Verifying sources is key to prevent the spread of false narratives.
Fascinating investigation. It’s concerning to see how easily misleading videos can go viral, even on serious topics. Rigorous fact-checking is crucial to counter the spread of false narratives.
It’s impressive that the investigators were able to trace the video’s true origins. This highlights the importance of verifying information, especially during politically charged times.
Agreed, knee-jerk reactions to unverified claims can lead to the spread of misinformation. Responsible reporting and fact-checking are essential to upholding journalistic standards.
Thanks for the detailed investigation. It’s a good reminder that social media can spread misleading content rapidly. Fact-checking is crucial to understand the real story behind these types of videos.
Hmm, this is a curious case. It’s troubling to see how quickly unverified claims can gain traction online. Kudos to the fact-checkers for digging into the origins of this video.
Absolutely, it’s a good lesson in the need for critical thinking when consuming online content. Fact-checking helps maintain the integrity of information.
Interesting fact check. It’s important to verify the origin of viral videos and not jump to conclusions, especially during tense political situations. Careful analysis is needed to separate truth from misinformation.
Excellent work uncovering the true origins of this video. It’s a good reminder to be cautious about accepting viral claims at face value and to always seek out credible sources.
This is a valuable example of how misinformation can quickly gain traction on social media. Kudos to the disinformation commission for setting the record straight.