False Iran Nuclear Quote Reached 2 Governments as Disinformation Spread From India to Washington
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
False Iran Nuclear Quote Reached 2 Governments as Disinformation Spread From India to Washington
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
Summary
An Aug. 5 fabricated quote falsely claiming Iran would not abandon nuclear weapons ambitions spread from an anonymous X account in India into Israeli media, U.S. political circles and Fox News.
No evidence shows IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi made the remark, and there is no evidence Iran has developed nuclear weapons, but the claim was still presented in Israel as a first public admission.
Benjamin Netanyahu later echoed the quotation in remarks at Mount Herzl, while U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and Senator Rick Scott reposted it, extending the falsehood into official debate.
The New York Times said the campaign's origin remains unclear, but its effect aligned with Netanyahu's longstanding argument that Iran seeks a bomb and that war was necessary.
The episode showed how quickly online disinformation can distort international discussion on war and peace once it is amplified by broadcasters and senior officials.