Doha, June 24, 2025 – A viral video showing scenes of chaos and shoppers fleeing in a Doha mall has reignited concerns about regional tensions after Iran allegedly threatened a U.S. base in Qatar. But fact-checks confirm that the footage predates the current crisis and is unrelated to the Middle East conflict.
🔍 What’s in the video?
The widely circulated clip captures shoppers sprinting through what appears to be a luxury shopping centre in Doha. Panic spreads rapidly, with people scattering across escalators and bustling corridors.
🕵️♂️ Origins of the clip
While widely shared in the wake of threats by Iran toward U.S. assets in Qatar, reverse image and metadata analysis link the video to February 2025 and a Florida mall incident, where a firearm discharge caused temporary alarm—not a drone strike or missile attack .
🌐 Why it went viral now
This false association stems from escalated tensions between Iran and Israel. Alongside rumors, satellite imagery shows U.S. jets being relocated at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—Washington’s largest air hub in the Middle East—to protect against potential Iranian strikes . The U.S. Embassy in Doha even restricted base access “out of an abundance of caution” amid regional hostilities .
⚠️ Iran‑US‑Israel tension backdrop
Satellite data from June 5 and June 19 revealed a sharp drop in visible U.S. military aircraft at Al‑Udeid—from nearly 40 planes to just three—suggesting they were moved to safer locations .
The U.S. embassy has urged “increased vigilance” among its personnel, following Tehran’s open threats to strike U.S. bases if America supports Israel with military action .
U.S. Defense Secretary and military officials confirmed repositioning assets to balance readiness and force protection .
✅ Key takeaways
Myth Reality
The mall video shows a Doha mall attack. It actually originates from a February 2025 panic at a Florida mall.
Iran attacked a U.S. mall in Qatar. No such attack occurred—this is a viral misunderstanding.
U.S. jets left Qatar because of a mall incident. They were relocated due to regional military precautions tied to Iran‑Israel tensions.
📌 Why this matters
Disinformation can stoke fear in the Gulf and beyond—especially amid rising Middle East tensions. It’s vital to verify viral content before drawing conclusions. The actual concern remains real: the safety of U.S. personnel and civilians in Qatar, as military forces take precautionary measures.
🛡 Stay informed
Track satellite imagery trends around Al Udeid Air Base as the Iran‑Israel crisis unfolds.
Cross-check viral footage with verification sources like India Today Fact Check.
Monitor official embassy advisories for travel alerts or security bulletins.