Indian Social Media Handle Linked to Global Iran Nuclear Misinformation
· World · The Hindu, India Today, NDTV Sports
A false quote attributed to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi, which claimed Iran was building nuclear weapons, originated from an Indian social media handle named Baba Banaras. The misinformation spread globally, eventually being cited by Israeli and U.S. officials, potentially complicating ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The Hindu identified the account, which has previously been flagged by fact-checkers for spreading communal propaganda. Despite the false nature of the claim, the platform X has taken no action against the handle or limited its visibility. The report notes that the handle may have copied the claim from an earlier, unidentified source.
Why it matters
The spread of this fabricated quote highlights how unverified social media content can influence high-stakes international diplomacy and disrupt sensitive ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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