Fake Russian Warship Image Spreads as Trump Threatens Iran Over Strait of Hormuz

A fabricated image is spreading across Facebook claiming Russia sent more than 25 warships to the Strait of Hormuz to back Iran against the United States. The photo is fake -- and it's part of a broader disinformation campaign exploiting real tensions in the Middle East.

The manipulated image was posted March 27 by Facebook user Shalva Qavtaradze, who has a documented history of spreading false information. The post included a Russian-language caption stating: "Amid growing tensions with the United States, more than 25 Russian warships have arrived in the Strait of Hormuz. President Putin has promised additional support to Iran and assistance during the crisis."

The Real Story Behind the Photo

The image doesn't show Russian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. It shows Russian vessels preparing for a naval parade in the Gulf of Finland in 2018 -- thousands of miles away from Iran.

The manipulated photo appears to originate from a TikTok account called "ORYOL" that primarily posts pro-Russian content about the Ukraine war, along with anti-Ukrainian and anti-American propaganda. The original video has since been deleted from the account.

No credible media outlets or official government sources have reported any Russian naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. There is zero evidence in open-source intelligence that Russia has sent warships to support Iran in this crisis.

Why This Disinformation Matters Now

The fake image is circulating at a moment of genuine crisis in the Middle East -- and that's not an accident.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas passing through the narrow waterway. Iran restricted access to the strait following attacks by the United States and Israel.

On March 21, Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the strait, threatening to destroy the country's energy infrastructure if it refused. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded the next day, warning it would strike energy and water systems across Persian Gulf countries and fully close the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Trump, "good and productive" negotiations led to a temporary postponement of military action -- though the situation remains volatile.

A Pattern of Middle East Disinformation

This isn't an isolated incident. Since February 28, fact-checkers have documented numerous false claims about Middle East developments spreading on social media, including AI-generated images and videos designed to inflame tensions or spread confusion about what's actually happening on the ground.

Disinformation campaigns thrive during international crises because people are anxious for information and updates. Bad actors exploit that anxiety by flooding social media with fake images, manipulated videos, and fabricated claims that look credible at first glance.

The Bottom Line

Russia has not deployed warships to the Strait of Hormuz. The viral photo shows a 2018 naval parade in Finland. Anyone sharing this image is either being duped or deliberately spreading disinformation.

As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran -- with Trump threatening military action and Iran threatening to shut down a critical global oil route -- it's more important than ever to verify claims before sharing them. Disinformation doesn't just mislead people. In a crisis like this, it can make a dangerous situation even worse.