The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency has even circulated stories that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fled to Greece
By Hezy Laing
The Iranian missile attacks on Israel have been accompanied by a widespread propaganda campaign aimed at convincing the local population that Iran is winning the war with the Jewish State.
For example, the Tehran Times circulated an AI-produced video that falsely depicted widespread destruction in Tel Aviv. Though the video was fabricated and did not show real events, it gained significant traction online.
Iranian state media also claimed to have downed two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and captured a female Israeli pilot named “Sarah Ahronot.” These claims were widely circulated with accompanying images.
However, Israeli officials and independent analysts have confirmed these reports are baseless. The supposed photo of the captured pilot was actually of a Chilean Navy officer from 2021, and the images of wreckage did not match F-35 jets.
Incredibly, the Iranian outlets, including the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, even circulated stories that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fled to Greece ahead of Iranian retaliation.
Nor do the Iranians have any qualms about making contradictory claims. The outrage following the Iranian attack on a hospital in Be’er Sheva was followed by an Iranian claim that it was targeting a nearby IDF army base and hit the hospital by accident.
When this proved insufficient, a video was disseminated purporting to show that there were dozens of Israeli tanks hidden in a secret garage underneath the hospital.
In an attempt to prevent the local population from discovering what is really happening, the Iranian regime recently blocked the internet throughout the entire country.
This information blackout is intended to prevent the spread of information that contradicts state media, shield the Iranian public from alternative narratives, and reinforce the regime’s version of events.
Yesterday, the Iranian Ministry of Communications announced, “temporary restrictions” had been placed on internet access, citing “special conditions” and the need to prevent “enemy exploitation” and cyberattacks.
The government urged citizens to use domestic apps and even advised uninstalling WhatsApp, claiming it was a “security risk”.
