Key facts
- A social media post originating from an Indian nationalist account falsely claimed Iran's IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi admitted Iran was developing nuclear weapons.
- The claim lacked any identifiable Iranian source, such as a speech or official report.
- Israeli media, including Channel 14, amplified the claim, presenting it as a direct admission by an Iranian official.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited the alleged quote in an official speech.
- Tehran, through the Tehran Times, denied the claims, calling them fabrications by the 'Israeli regime'.
A false claim that Iran's leadership had declared itself a nuclear power, originating from an Indian nationalist social media account, spread widely before being denied by Tehran. The alleged statement, attributed to IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, suggested Iran was developing nuclear weapons.
Investigations found no original Iranian source for the purported quote. It first appeared on an Indian X account named Ritika and was then amplified by Israeli media, including Channel 14, which presented it as a direct admission. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently repeated the alleged statement in an official address, warning about Iran's nuclear plans.
The claim also reached U.S. figures, with Republican Senator Rick Scott posting about it on X, and was reported by Fox News. However, Wall Street Journal reporter Laurence Norman publicly questioned the lack of sourcing. Israeli officials familiar with influence operations suggested the episode could be an illegal influence campaign.
Tehran officially denied the claims. The Tehran Times published comments from an 'informed source' that strongly rejected the reports originating from 'Israeli regime media,' describing them as fabrications. The newspaper asserted the Islamic Republic's nuclear position is clear and accused Israel of creating new falsehoods.