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‘Fake News From Nigeria’ – Trump Attacks CNN Over Iran Ceasefire Report
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.
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