Islamabad: A viral post circulating on X (formerly Twitter), attributed to an alleged Iranian official, has been declared fake by the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan, which warned of a deliberate attempt to spread disinformation and undermine bilateral relations.
The post, shared by an account posing as Sardar Hossein Nejat, claims that Pakistan has “gone even beyond its limits” and accuses the country of betrayal in the context of regional developments. The message, written in provocative language, quickly gained attention online and was widely circulated across social media platforms.
However, the Embassy of Iran in Islamabad has categorically rejected the claim, stating that the account is fake and does not represent any official Iranian authority. In its clarification, the embassy said the account is attempting to “spread venom in the brotherly and friendly relations of Iran and Pakistan,” urging users to rely only on verified sources for official statements.
Analysis
A closer examination of the viral post reveals a flag and pictures of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but with the absence of verification credentials, inconsistent messaging, and language that deviates from the standard diplomatic tone.
No credible or official Iranian platform has issued any such statement, reinforcing the embassy’s position that the content is fabricated.
- The viral screenshot carries a bold “FAKE” stamp, reinforcing that it has already been flagged as misinformation.
- No credible or verified Iranian government account has issued such a statement.
- The language used in the alleged post is inflammatory and uncharacteristic of official diplomatic communication.
- Impersonation of public figures and officials is a common tactic in disinformation campaigns, especially on politically sensitive topics
The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on social media, particularly through impersonation accounts that mimic public figures or officials to push misleading narratives. Experts note that such tactics are often used during sensitive geopolitical moments to create confusion and strain ties between countries.
Background
Pakistan and Iran maintain close diplomatic and regional ties, and official communications are typically issued through:
- Verified government accounts
- State media
- Formal press releases
Any major statement criticizing bilateral relations would not appear through an unverified or obscure account.
Verdict: ❌ False — The viral post originates from a fake account impersonating an Iranian official. The Iranian Embassy in Pakistan has confirmed it is not authentic and warned against the spread of such misinformation.
