“Fake news” has landed in Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a tweet out Friday that seems to be directed at Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for “fear-mongering hype” that equates to fake news.
“The only regime in ME with nukes, ICBMs & a history of aggression whines about Iran’s means of defense. Fear-mongering hype IS fake news,” Zarif tweeted.
The only regime in ME with nukes, ICBMs & a history of aggression whines about Iran’s means of defense. Fear-mongering hype IS fake news.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 17, 2017
The proliferation of fake news is a burgeoning issue that originally took the spotlight in the U.S., most notably during the 2016 election, thanks in large part to sharing on social media. The phenomenon has led to politicians on both sides of the aisle to complain that these misleading stories have been damaging. Both Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama blamed fake news, in part, for Clinton’s loss in the presidential election to President Trump.
Zarif’s message is likely a response to Netanyahu’s comments about the threat posed by Iran during an interview with Fox News’ Hannity that aired Thursday.
“They want to have [intercontinental ballistic missiles] that can reach your country. That’s what they’re working on right now. Remember, you’re the Great Satan [to them],” Netanyahu said. “They believe that they’re destined to govern the world. Anybody that doesn’t agree with them, they’ll be able to subjugate or kill, and they’re working on the means to achieve that.”
He also decried the Obama administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran, which he explained “essentially said this, it said no bomb today, 100 bombs tomorrow, in ten years.”
“Since the signing of the deal,” Netanyahu added, “Iran has become more aggressive, more deadly, sponsoring more terrorism … with more money, a lot more money.”
Netanyahu visited with President Trump this week at the White House.
