United States President Donald Trump has accused CNN of broadcasting what he described as a false statement from Iran regarding the ceasefire agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.
Trump alleged that the statement, which was attributed to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), originated from what he described as a “fake news site from Nigeria.”
The ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran was announced roughly two hours before Trump’s earlier deadline in which he warned that Iran’s “civilisation” could face destruction if the conflict escalated.
CNN had reported that Iran described the ceasefire as a major victory, quoting a statement attributed to the SNSC.
“The enemy, in its unfair, unlawful, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat,” the report quoted the Iranian body as saying.
According to the statement cited by CNN, Iranian authorities claimed that Tehran forced the United States to accept its 10-point proposal as part of the ceasefire arrangement.
Reacting in a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected the report and accused CNN of spreading misinformation.
“The alleged Statement put out by CNN World News is a FRAUD, as CNN well knows,” Trump said.
He further alleged that the report originated from a Nigerian news outlet, which he described as unreliable.
“The false Statement was linked to a Fake News site (from Nigeria) and, of course, immediately picked up by CNN, and blared out as a ‘legitimate’ headline,” the US president wrote.
Trump, however, did not name the Nigerian outlet he referred to and provided no evidence to support the claim.
In another post, he described the outlet as “a new, trouble making site from Nigeria.”
The US president also called on CNN to withdraw the report, stating that authorities had begun examining the matter.
He suggested that investigations would determine whether the publication of the report constituted a criminal offence.
Trump subsequently shared what he described as the official Iranian statement, attributed to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
Araghchi confirmed that Iran would suspend defensive operations if attacks by the United States and Israel were halted.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.
He also reiterated that Iran would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for global shipping for a limited period.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
The Iranian foreign minister said the remarks were made on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council.
Iranian state-linked media outlets also carried statements attributed to the SNSC.
Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published excerpts from the council’s message.
“The enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation,” the statement read.
The council also claimed that Iran forced the United States to accept its 10-point plan and congratulated the Iranian people on what it described as a victory.
Meanwhile, Brendan Carr, chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), warned that broadcasters could face consequences if they fail to act in the public interest.
He stated that media organisations risk losing their licences if they do not adhere to professional standards in their reporting.
CNN has defended the report, insisting that the statement was obtained from Iranian officials and was also reported by multiple Iranian state media outlets.
The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.
Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.
He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.
The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.
“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.
“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.
Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.
At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.
The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.
At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.
Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.
Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.
Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.
Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.
In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.
Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.
Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.
The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary
RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.
Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”
He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.
He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.
“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.
“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.
“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”
Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.
Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.
