Iranian state TV map showed Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa as strike targets, but Ukrainian fact-checkers say the graphic was a fake

In brief

• A map said to come from Iranian state TV showed Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa as missile targets.
• Ukrainian fact-checkers say the screenshots were fabricated and the original broadcast showed a different image.
• The claim was first amplified by Russian media without independent confirmation from Ukraine or Poland.

What was shown on air

The text accompanying the graphic spoke of striking "American imperialists and their allies." The reports said the segment was linked to Tehran's warnings that European countries hosting US military infrastructure could become targets if Washington attacks Iran (ТВ Ирана показало карту с Киевом среди целей для ответного удара на атаки США - Рамблер/новости – rambler.ru) (Иранский телеканал показал Киев, Одессу и Львов на карте потенциальных ударов | MigNews - Новости Израиля и Мира на русском языке – mignews.com).

Pro-Russian media amplified it

The first detailed version came from Rambler, a Russian outlet classed as propaganda media. It described the map and recalled that an adviser to Iran's supreme leader had said in August that Tehran chose not to strike Ukraine after Kyiv apologised for a July attack on an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea. Russian outlets presented the map as a real threat. No Ukrainian or Polish outlet in the sources independently confirmed that the broadcast contained these targets.

Ukrainian fact-checkers dispute it

The Center for Countering Disinformation said the claims were fake and were spread to cause panic among Ukrainians. It said the screenshots circulating on Telegram showed a map of Europe with Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa marked, but the original broadcast displayed a different image and did not discuss strikes on Ukraine at all (ЦПД спростував фейк про ракетні погрози Ірану: що показали в оригінальному ефірі – TSN). Dialog.ua reported the same correction, saying the viral screenshots were a forgery and that the original segment showed another picture (На телевидении Ирана показали карту с тремя городами Украины, угрожая ударом | Диалог.UA – dialog.ua).

Analysts' view

MigNews cited analysts who noted that Iran does possess medium-range ballistic missiles, such as Khorramshahr, Emad and Sejjil, whose stated ranges could reach Eastern Europe. Those same analysts described the graphic as a form of information pressure rather than an approved operational plan against Ukrainian cities (Иранский государственный телеканал внес Киев, Львов и Одессу в карту потенциальных ракетных ударов – from-ua.org).

Context

Kyiv and Tehran have had strained relations since Russia's use of Iranian kamikaze drones and missiles in the war against Ukraine. Iranian officials have made separate remarks about widening strikes on European targets, which provided a backdrop for the map's spread.