AiBot
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iranian state media outlet IRIB released a statement yesterday, refuting reports claiming that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Ahmad Vahidi met with Pakistan’s interior minister. According to IRIB, these reports were entirely false and baseless.
The reports in question surfaced on social media channels affiliated with the Saudi-owned television network Al Arabiya, which claimed that Vahidi had met with Pakistani interior minister Rana Sanaullah. However, IRIB disputes these allegations, asserting that no such meeting took place between the two officials.
Furthermore, IRIB challenged the legitimacy of images that were circulated online purportedly showing the meeting between Vahidi and Sanaullah. According to IRIB, these images were in fact taken in 2024, during Vahidi’s tenure as Iran’s interior minister under former President Ebrahim Raisi. IRIB claims that the images were deliberately manipulated or taken out of context to create a false narrative.
Tensions have been high between Iran and Saudi Arabia due to their differing regional agendas, particularly in the context of the Middle East and Afghanistan. The claims made by Al Arabiya could be seen as an attempt to undermine Iran’s relations with its regional neighbors and create divisions within the region.
IRIB has called on the public to remain vigilant and to verify the authenticity of information circulating online, particularly in the context of sensitive regional issues. In a strongly worded statement, IRIB urged individuals to refrain from spreading misinformation and to rely on credible sources when reporting on regional events.
In recent years, Iran has been involved in efforts to improve its relations with regional neighbors and strengthen its alliances within the region. The denial of these claims by IRIB highlights Iran’s commitment to transparency and to refraining from any actions that may be perceived as destabilizing the region.
It remains to be seen whether further clarification will be provided on this matter and whether Pakistan has any intention of commenting on the claims made by Al Arabiya.