What the posts claim In the hours after a US strike that targeted Iran's top leadership, dozens of social media posts showed people cheering in U.S. and European cities and footage labeled as coming from inside Iran. The clips feature waving flags, horn blasts, chants of "USA" and even people singing YMCA. Supporters online are treating the footage as proof of a popular uprising and a diplomatic victory for President Trump. The images are powerful, and that is why they spread so fast. Where the clips appeared Most of the footage circulated on X, posted by a mix of private accounts, activists, and a few public figures. Reporters and local accounts in cities such as Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris and Berlin shared short videos that quickly rack up likes and shares. A range of users also posted clips claimed to be from inside Iran. Fast sharing makes it easy to mistake local demonstrations for mass movements without extra verification. Who boosted the story High-profile allies and some conservative commentators amplified the scenes, praising the action and linking the images to the administration's decisions. Messages of gratitude from diaspora communities showed up as well. That amplification matters. When…

What happened At least two drones struck the U.S. Embassy complex in Riyadh on Tuesday evening, according to multiple U.S. and media sources. Officials said the compound was empty at the time and there were no reported injuries. Fox correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported the embassy was empty, and some outlets described a limited fire at the site. Reports also said a third drone was en route when the initial strikes were announced. Official response on the ground The American mission in Saudi Arabia sent a shelter in place alert for Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran and advised limiting nonessential travel to military sites. That is sensible advice. It also exposes the odd reality of modern diplomacy: big security perimeters, few people inside during a strike, and a reliance on alerts and text messages to manage chaos. State Department warnings and advice The State Department had warned Americans to consider leaving as it urged people to depart 14 Middle East countries using available commercial transport. Secretary Marco Rubio and other officials pushed out travel alerts and a registration system for citizens. The message is consistent. It is also a reminder that official warnings are only useful if people get them in time…