Iran Propagandists Misfire

The Iranian propagandists screwed up. Again. Big time.

This time, they were talking about how the Iranians will never let anyone attack Iranian soil and they posted a photo to accompany the story.

Enemy is by no means able to launch military attack against Iran, Air Force Commander Brigadier General pilot Ahmad Miqani said on Thursday.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate graduation of a number of officers in an air base, the commander stressed Iran's military strength in the region.

"Relying on efforts made by its young experts, the Air Force of the Armed Forces has made remarkable achievements in various fields and this has resulted in promoting Iran's authority inside and outside the region," said the commander.

Here's the photo:


Notice anything odd about it? Distinctive markings? Flag markings? Anything?

You should.

Those aren't Iranian aircraft.

Those are the USAF Thunderbirds. They are the Air Force's demonstration team and they fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Iran doesn't have those aircraft. Iran certainly doesn't use that paint scheme.

Their propagandists couldn't dig up Iranian fighter aircraft in flight, and therefore cribbed an American photo instead.

HT: jcm at LGF

UPDATE:
Quilly Mammoth at LGF notes that there was metadata associated with the image:

OVER MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- Four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team fly in diamond formation during Airfest 2004 here April 24. The F-16s are assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Zuccaro)

The Iranians just did a straight cut and paste, and didn't even bother to edit out the metadata. Classy.