In the wake of widespread online claims that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was depicted in “paradise” surrounded by 72 virgins by state media after his death was reported, a viral image has circulated on social platforms. Posts on
The claim is false. There is no verified evidence that any Iranian state media organisation published such an image. People have falsely attributed the digitally manipulated footage circulating online to official sources.
what is going viral
The image depicts Khamenei sitting in a garden-like “heavenly” setting, surrounded by several young girls. Many users have linked the scene to the controversial “72 virgins” motif, leading to outrage and accusations of depravity. However, several key facts weaken this claim: There is no record of the image on official Iranian outlets such as Press TV, IRNA, Mehr News Agency, Tasnim or Khamenei’s official channels. The image does not appear in archived posts from verified state media accounts. Searches and archive checks reveal no evidence of publication by any authenticated Iranian outlet. The image appears to have been widely re-shared during a highly charged online moment and incorrectly attributed to state media.
what exactly is the image
A viral photo is a digitally created photo. It appears to have been created by taking authentic photographs from past events in which Khamenei met with groups of schoolgirls during official ceremonies and inserting them into a fabricated “heaven” or heaven-style background. Those original photos are publicly available and are several years old. Additionally, some versions of the viral image include a forged screenshot layout, falsely attributed to the Iranian state-affiliated outlet Mehr News Agency. There is no evidence that Mehr News or any other official Iranian organisation published the image.
What Iranian state media is really posting
Contrary to viral claims, Iranian state media coverage following Khamenei’s reported death has included traditional condolence material. Official outlets have presented him as a martyr, using the following:
- black-themed graphics
- Quran verses
- formal condolence message
- traditional language of state mourning
No verified Iranian state outlet has published:
- Any image depicting Khamenei in heaven
- No mention of the “72 virgins” has been made.
- Any fiction involving children in an afterlife context
conclusion
The claim that Iranian state media has depicted Khamenei in heaven with “72 virgins” is not supported by evidence. The viral image is a manipulated mix using real photographs of past public events, combined with a fabricated background and, in some cases, a forged media screenshot. There is no record of its publication by any official Iranian outlet.
