United States President Donald Trump has criticised CNN over a report quoting a statement attributed to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump alleged that the statement carried by the network originated from what he described as a “fake news” website in Nigeria, although he did not identify the outlet or provide evidence to support the claim.
The controversy arose after CNN reported remarks attributed to the SNSC claiming that Iran had secured a significant victory in the conflict.
“The enemy, in its unfair, unlawful, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat,” the statement said, according to the report.
Reacting to the coverage, Trump dismissed the claim as inaccurate.
“The alleged statement put out by CNN World News is a fraud, as CNN well knows,” he wrote, adding that the report was linked to a “fake news site from Nigeria” and was quickly amplified as a legitimate headline.
The US president also called on CNN to withdraw the report and said authorities were examining the circumstances surrounding the publication.
The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was announced late Monday, shortly before a deadline previously issued by Trump warning of strong retaliation if attacks against US interests continued.
Following the announcement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement thanking Pakistan for its mediation efforts and outlining conditions for halting hostilities.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said.
He also noted that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could be permitted for two weeks under coordination with Iran’s armed forces and subject to technical considerations.
Araghchi said he issued the statement on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s highest national security body responsible for overseeing defence and strategic policies.
Meanwhile, Tasnim, a news agency affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published a separate statement from the SNSC containing similar language, congratulating Iranians on what it described as a victory and stating that Iran had compelled the United States to accept its terms.
Amid the dispute, Brendan Carr, chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), warned that broadcasters could risk losing their licences if they fail to operate in the public interest.
CNN defended its report, stating that the remarks attributed to the SNSC were obtained from Iranian officials and had been published by several Iranian state media outlets.
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