A cryptic video posted by the official White House X account sent social media into a frenzy of speculation about whether a major new military escalation against Iran is imminent.

The shaky footage, which has since been taken down from the official account, appeared to point downwards towards a woman’s booted feet, with a voice asking: “It’s launching soon right?”

Within an hour of being posted the clip had attracted 1,500 comments, with many users convinced the phrase — believed by some to have been spoken by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt — signals a dramatic new development in America’s war with Iran.

Theories flooding the replies range from an imminent missile strike to a troop deployment — with some users going as far as to suggest the video may be hinting at a nuclear strike.

X user Blake O’Shea ominously asked: “Nuclear bomb?”

Bella Iberia was more measured: “White House account accidentally drops ‘It’s launching soon right?’ with zero context. B**t dial or subtle flex? Either way, the timeline is losing its mind while the rest of us wait for the actual drop. This administration stays chaotic in the best way possible. Never a dull moment.”

Spectro was less sanguine: “We’re going to die aren’t we :-(“

Matt Wallace asked simply: “Should we be worried?”

America AF went further: “Should I get in my underground bunker?”

While Afia Dimple cut to the chase: “Someone is gonna get fired.”

The White House press office has been contacted by the Express via email and invited to comment.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has flatly rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s call to actively encourage Iranians to rise up against their government, warning the move could trigger a massacre.

In a phone call with the Israeli Prime Minister last week, Trump was blunt: “Why the hell should we tell people to take to the streets when they’ll just get mowed down.”

The discussion followed an Israeli strike last Tuesday that killed Iranian security chief Ali Larijani. Netanyahu told Trump the killing had created an opening — that the regime was in disarray and a window for revolution had appeared.

Trump pushed back, pointing to the fate of thousands of Iranians killed by paramilitary forces during anti-regime protests before the war began.

The pair settled on a wait-and-see approach, agreeing to monitor whether Iranians would take to the streets of their own accord during the annual festival of fire — without any outside encouragement, a source said.

Netanyahu subsequently addressed the Iranian people directly on television: “Our aircraft are striking terrorist operatives. This is meant to allow the brave Iranian people to celebrate the festival of fire. So go out and celebrate, we are watching from above.”