Fox News Apologizes for Airing Fake Quote Attributed to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander
Fox News issued an on-air apology after ynet exposed that the network broadcast a fabricated quote falsely attributed to Ahmad Vahidi, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Anchor Bill Hemmer acknowledged the quote, which claimed Iran would continue developing nuclear weapons as long as the US and Israel possessed them, was "unverified and inaccurate." He expressed regret for the mistake during the broadcast. The original Fox News article featuring the quote was also updated following the revelation.
The fake quote originated from a dubious Indian Twitter account and was amplified by Israeli Channel 14 and even by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech at Mount Herzl on August 5. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz also shared the false claim on social media. The day after the quote surfaced, Hemmer used it in an interview with retired US Central Command General Joseph Votel, who affirmed the statement as if it were true and described the Revolutionary Guards leadership as extremist and focused on regime survival rather than Iran’s economy or citizens.
The New York Times also highlighted the ease with which the fabricated quote spread and the failure to question its authenticity earlier. Their investigation traced the quote back to the Indian Twitter account, which had a history of spreading false and Islamophobic content. The quote was accompanied by an AI-generated image of Vahidi next to a mushroom cloud and contained English spelling and grammar errors. The timing of the quote’s release was notable, coming three days after then-President Donald Trump paused strikes on Iran to allow for negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded by stating that while Vahidi has spoken extensively since the start of the conflict, he never addressed the nuclear program. In fact, last year Vahidi clarified Iran’s position on nuclear weapons, emphasizing it had been previously stated. This incident underscores the challenges of misinformation in the context of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and international diplomacy.
