Geography Fail: Iranian State TV Threatens to Strike an American Base That Doesn’t Exist
Tehran’s "psychological warfare" seems to have hit a snag: it’s hard to strike fear into your enemies when you can’t find them (or yourself) on a map.
Iran's state-affiliated Al-Alam TV aired a segment yesterday, claiming that an "American Hmeimim Air Base in Lebanon" could be targeted in retaliation if the United States launches an attack on Iran.
The report, which circulated via a video clip on social media, features graphics labeling various military sites as potential targets, including the purported U.S. base in Lebanon. However, no such American military base exists in Lebanon, and "Hmeimim" (also spelled Khmeimim) refers to a Russian airbase in Latakia, Syria, not Lebanon or a U.S. facility.
Al-Alam TV, an Arabic-language broadcaster linked to Iran's Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), did not provide sources for the claim.
The erroneous report comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, including U.S. military preparations for potential operations against Iran and ongoing nuclear talks in Geneva. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that Iran would target U.S. bases in the region if attacked, but did not specify Lebanon or Hmeimim.
No U.S. military bases are present in Lebanon; American forces withdrew in the 1980s following the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. Hmeimim Air Base in Syria has been a Russian-operated facility since 2015, used for operations in support of the former Syrian government.
The video has sparked online mockery and criticism for its factual inaccuracies, with users pointing out the geographical and ownership errors.
Iranian state media has not issued a correction.
U.S. officials have not commented on the report.