False Iranian quote spread from Indian Twitter account to Netanyahu speech in 8 hours

Reports indicate that a fabricated quote attributed to IRGC General Ahmad Vahidi, claiming Iran is working toward nuclear weapons, reached Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech through a cycle of disinformation. The quote first appeared on August 5 on an Indian Hindu nationalist account on X. According to the fact-checking organization Bodkim, the account has a history of spreading unsourced information aligned with Netanyahu’s talking points. The claim was then amplified by the 'Mossad Commentary' account—which has no ties to Israeli intelligence—and was subsequently picked up by pro-Netanyahu outlets, including Channel 14. Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister's son, also shared the post. Within eight hours of its initial appearance, Netanyahu cited the quote during a state ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem as evidence of Iran's nuclear intentions. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz also shared the quote before later deleting it. Disinformation experts, including Darren L. Linvill of Clemson University, described the incident as a classic case of 'information laundering' intended to influence diplomatic negotiations.