Islamabad: A viral post circulating on X (formerly Twitter), shared by the account “Ayda News,” claiming that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Pakistan of “crossing red lines” and committing a “clear betrayal” over oil shipments, has been declared false by Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
The post alleges that Iranian authorities reacted strongly after US President Donald Trump purportedly claimed that Pakistani-flagged oil tankers were transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz to Iran’s adversaries. It further claims that Tehran accused Islamabad of facilitating such shipments.
However, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically rejected the claim, stating that no such statement has been issued by the Iranian foreign minister or any official Iranian authority.
The spokesperson described the circulating content as fake and misleading, urging the public to rely on verified sources.
Analysis
A review of the viral post and accompanying image reveals multiple signs of misinformation. The claim originates from a single social media account without credible attribution or links to official Iranian statements.
The language used is highly inflammatory and inconsistent with diplomatic communication between Pakistan and Iran.
Moreover, no verified Iranian government account, official statement, or reputable international media outlet has reported any such remarks by Abbas Araghchi. The claim also appears to build on unverified assertions attributed to Donald Trump, further weakening its credibility.
Background
Pakistan and Iran maintain diplomatic engagement on regional and energy issues, and any serious allegation of this nature would typically be communicated through official channels.
Experts note that impersonation and fabricated statements attributed to senior officials are common tactics used in coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Verdict
❌ False — The claim that Iran’s foreign minister accused Pakistan of betrayal over oil shipments is fabricated. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that no such statement was made, and the viral post is part of misleading content circulating on social media.
A broader pattern of coordinated disinformation has also emerged, with networks of accounts linked to India and Afghanistan allegedly posing as Iranian officials and media outlets to circulate misleading narratives targeting Pakistan.
Preliminary investigations suggest these operations follow a structured approach, beginning with fake or impersonation accounts that seed false claims, which are then amplified across multiple platforms to give the impression of credibility and wider acceptance.
