The ongoing conflict between Israel and the US against Iran has escalated in recent days, leading to heightened scrutiny of viral content on social media.

Among these, a video claiming that Iran had successfully struck a US Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG) has circulated widely.

However, fact-checking reveals that the video is misleading. The footage actually originates from a 2022 naval training exercise involving the Royal Malaysian Navy.

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Specifically, the video shows the Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir firing an EXOCET MM40 missile at a target during the ‘Sinking Exercise’ (SINKEX) as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 drills in Hawaii, United States. Interestingly, the Naval ship used as a target was the decommissioned USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate of the United States Navy. 

The exercise marked the first time the Malaysian Navy fired a missile outside its territorial waters.

The video has contributed to confusion amid the US-Iran-Israel conflict, where tensions remain high following multiple airstrikes, missile launches, and naval alerts in the Gulf and Arabian Sea regions. While Iran has launched missiles and drone attacks targeting US and Israeli assets, no credible evidence exists of a US naval ship being struck by Iran.

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Meanwhile, in a related development, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had "complete control" of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, and Israel launched fresh strikes on Iranian and Lebanese targets as the Middle East war continued into its fifth day.

More Israeli strikes in Tehran

The Israeli military said it had begun a fresh wave of strikes on Tehran on Wednesday, as an AFP journalist reported a fresh explosion in the northeast of the Iranian capital. The army said it had struck "dozens" of targets, including security command centres in the capital Tehran. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the US-Israeli strikes on Iran "would appear, prima facie... to be inconsistent with international law".

At the same time, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Iranian forces had "complete control" of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for world oil and gas supplies, and any vessels seeking to pass risked damage from missiles or stray drones.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the crucial Gulf shipping route.

The Guards said they had also launched more than 40 missiles at US and Israeli targets in a new wave of strikes.