Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the internet has become a generating ground for misinformation, deepfakes, and manipulated content. This risks manipulating public perception and intensifying regional instability. Among the most viral content of disinformation circulating in recent days are videos and statements that falsely depict former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu making direct threats toward Pakistan. This content has been widely shared across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Facebook. To mislead viewers and prompt alarm within South Asia’s already unstable geopolitical environment.
One of the most widely shared clips claims to show Donald Trump warning Pakistan to stay out of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. However, as fact-checkers, including Dawn and digital watchdogs like Iverifypak, have revealed, the video contains several abnormalities. Analysts noted that Trump’s speech lacked natural tone and flow, suggesting the use of AI. The clip’s unusual occurrences were evident upon closer inspection, undermining its credibility.
Similarly, another viral video attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shared with the controversial caption: “After Iran, Pakistan… Netanyahu’s threat.” The clip was widely seen as a warning that Israel might target Pakistan next. However, further investigation showed that the footage was old and unrelated to the current conflict. The comments circulating were originally made in 2011 and have been irresponsibly edited to fit today’s narrative. Media outlets like Dawn clarified that the video was not recent and did not represent a direct threat to Pakistan. Still, the reappearance of such content has only fueled speculation and spread misinformation.
The misinformation campaign continued to escalate, perhaps it led to the most damaging claim made thus far. A claim came from a senior military official, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Mohsen Rezaei. Who claimed during a television address that Pakistan vowed to Iran that it would attack Israel with a Nuclear Weapon as a retaliation measure in case Israel waged war with a Nuclear weapon against Iran. This shocking statement was spread by Iranian and international media outlets, making the situation worse.
According to the Daily Mail and other media outlets, it was stated that Pakistan had given full military backing to Iran to an extent, where Pakistan offered their nuclear facilities in the case of escalation. Social media was quickly flooded with concerning content, falsely portraying Pakistan taking an active nuclear stand to support Iran. According to a video posted by the Times Now, Pakistan’s use of the nuclear threat to Israel was a trend set after Pahalgam. Thus, pulling South Asia further into the Middle Eastern fault lines. Not only has this wave of misinformation provoked uncalled-for tensions in the region, but it has also greatly damaged the image of Pakistan as a responsible nuclear power.
In response to these misinformation campaigns, Pakistan has denied and clarified to the international community as well as to its people, given such misinformation campaigns. The allegations were denied by the Defense Minister of Pakistan, Khwaja Asif, and other Government Officials, calling it baseless and irresponsible. Asif, through Social Media remarks and Senate speech, stressed that Pakistan has committed to its long-term policy of nuclear restraint and strategic ambiguity. He added, “Pakistan is fully committed to the International nuclear regulations, and our nuclear capability is strictly for national defense and the well-being of our people.
Minister Asif also condemned the spread of misinformation in foreign media outlets, referring to the Daily Mail and British media groups posting unverified allegations regarding Pakistan’s military stance regarding the current conflict. He clarified that Pakistan had no intentions of becoming directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict. He also emphasized the nation’s policy of minimum credible deterrence. These Official statements served to calm fears both locally and internationally. Furthermore, it highlights Pakistan’s consistent commitment to responsible state behavior in the realm of nuclear policy.
Additionally, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar spoke up, addressing the Senate and the Media. He stated that the claims linked to Netanyahu were updated from 2011 and had nothing to do with the current situation. He stated, “Even if old, they shouldn’t be ignored, but let’s be clear, Pakistan has made no nuclear threat against Israel.” Dar also highlighted that Pakistan had offered to serve as a mediator when both Iran and Israel are willing and open to dialogue. He said, “We conveyed Iran’s message to other countries, even now, if Israel is stopped, Iran is open to dialogue and Pakistan is ready to facilitate those talks.”
During a phone call with Iranian President Masod Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support with Iran. Sharif strongly condemns Israel’s first strikes on Iran as a violation of Iranian sovereignty, also calling on the International community and the United Nations to take urgent action. However, he maintained that Pakistan’s role is grounded in diplomacy and regional peacebuilding, not military aggression.
Such an official response points to the fact that Pakistan is willing to de-escalate and manage its nuclear power responsibly. It is despite the fact that it currently experiences massive propaganda efforts to involve it in foreign conflicts. These include the revival of old videos, unverified claims by military officials abroad, sensational reporting by international media, which is not only one of the media crises, but a direct act of jeopardizing global stability. At a time when geopolitics can be manipulated by digital misinformation going viral, the timely denial of these claims by Pakistan is a key statement of the country as being a stabilizing force in an already volatile region.
