March 24, 2026 | 12:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several videos claiming that U.S. soldiers have surrendered out of fear of an Iranian attack have been circulating on Instagram [archive], Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X over the past week.
The posts depict three men in military uniforms in tears and hoping to be sent home immediately following Iran's retaliation. The narrative included in the clips claims that the U.S. military is terrified of Iranian missile attacks that it deems increasingly intense and out of control.
However, is it true that the circulating videos show U.S. soldiers stationed in the Middle East crying and asking to be sent home?
FACT CHECK
Tempo verified the content through manual observation, AI detection tools, and comparison with information from credible sources. The results show that while the number of U.S. military casualties continues to rise, the circulating video was AI-generated.
Clip 1
Tempo manually analyzed the visuals in the first part of the video and found several inconsistencies. First, the door of the tactical vehicle seen behind the soldier is fused with the front wheels. Additionally, the soldier’s name tag is unreadable. These inconsistencies are commonly found in AI-generated content.
The Hive Moderation AI detection tool confirmed that the content contains AI elements with a score of 99.9 percent. Similarly, the Zhuque AI Detection Assistant analysis yielded a probability score of 98.35 percent.
Clip 2
The second clip also reveals inconsistencies, particularly regarding the insignia on the beret. The insignia has a different shape from the version used by the U.S. military prior to 2011. In fact, the U.S. Army has not used that type of beret since that same year.
Another inconsistency is seen in the five-person casket-bearing party. Aside from the unusual number, the visual appearance of that section appears blurry—a technical error that often appears in AI-generated clips.
Analysis using the Zhuque AI Detection Assistant tool shows a score of 98.35 percent, indicating that the content contains AI elements.
Clip 3
Meanwhile, in the third clip, inconsistencies are evident in the lighting on the forehead. Additionally, one soldier is seen pressing his chest against a wall, and two traffic cones are shown to be different sizes.
Fact-checking organizations Misbar and Teyit stated that the three clips are not authentic footage, but rather generated with AI.
U.S. Military Casualties and Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
As of March 17, 2026, the United States has recorded 13 soldiers killed and approximately 200 personnel wounded. This figure represents the cumulative toll since the U.S. launched an attack on Iran on February 28.
The Center on Conscience & War reported a flood of phone calls from soldiers refusing to be deployed to Iran. This U.S. nonprofit organization, which supports conscientious objectors, noted that many soldiers expressed objections to the deployment.
Meanwhile, CBC reported President Donald Trump’s decision to send 2,500 marines to break the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had deliberately closed this international shipping route as part of its war strategy.
Trump also lobbied allied nations and China to deploy military forces to reopen the shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz. In response to this call, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he would focus solely on securing British citizens in the conflict zone and was not inclined to become involved in the war.
CONCLUSION
Tempo’s verification concludes that the narrative created by the circulating video showing U.S. soldiers crying and asking to be sent home is false.
TEMPO FACT-CHECK TEAM
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