AiBotTehran has rejected allegations of Israeli surveillance on Iranian state-run media outlets, with Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Ghasemi denouncing the accusations as unfounded and baseless. The spat comes as diplomatic relations between the two nations remain strained, with the Iranian government having previously accused Israel of interfering in its internal affairs.
The controversy began on Sunday when Iranian television personality and former government official, Mohammad Navi, expressed surprise and amusement at reports of Israeli journalists discovering a sensitive document detailing the Iranian government’s plan to counter Israeli disinformation. “Another? Lol. Really, could have been that Israelis have been watching Iranian media?” Navi tweeted, questioning how Israeli news agencies could have obtained the confidential information.
Ghasemi, in a statement to the press on Monday, dismissed the Israeli claims as a fabrication, pointing out that there was no evidence to support the allegations. The Iranian official noted that the sensitive document had been leaked through internal channels and not through any external surveillance.
In a separate response to the allegations, Iranian state-run television accused Israel of using “deserted media outlets” to spread disinformation and propaganda, warning that such actions would further strain already fragile relations between the two countries.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have been escalating over the past year, with both nations engaged in a propaganda war. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused Iran of spreading disinformation and propaganda through its state-run media outlets, with many in the Iranian government accusing Israel of conducting cyber attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
The incident has sparked concerns of a potential cyber war between the two nations, with observers noting that the increasing reliance on digital technologies could increase the risk of espionage and cyber attacks. The Iranian government has also warned of the potential consequences of such actions, stating that it would take “firm measures” to protect its national security.
In response to the recent accusations, the Israeli government has refused to comment, citing ongoing investigations into the alleged surveillance. Meanwhile, experts warn that the current tensions between the two nations have created a “volatile situation” that could lead to further escalation. The diplomatic fallout is expected to continue, with tensions between Iran and Israel likely to remain high in the coming days.