Qaani shoots at West's machine of fake news

Pars Today- The Commander of IRGC Qods Force, attending a public ceremony, caused a flagrant defeat for the Western media psychological war.

According to Pars Today, Iranian international newspaper Tehran Times, has analyzed the behavior of the Western media on forging news about General Qaani. The paper writes, "Impartiality and truthfulness are the cornerstones of responsible journalism or so we're told. Yet, for the Western media, the blatant bias in favor of Israel and their unwavering commitment to serving the regime's interests, no matter the cost, has never been more obvious."

Western media have turned into active players to whitewash the image of the regime which commits unimaginable acts against humanity. This shameless trend, which used to be limited at least due to observing an iota of the moral principles of journalism, has now reached complete fabrication of news. Even the simple principle of avoiding obvious and repeated lies was set aside last year.

Internet has been filled with fake stories about Hamas, Palestinians, Lebanese and even Iranians since October 7, 2023. Among these fake stories, there are horrible claims, such as beheading Israeli newborns by Hamas, bombing al-Arabi al-Ahli hospital and using civil places as defense shield. But even the notorious stories, may sound logical in comparison with the ridiculous claims of the recent weeks about the whereabouts and health condition of the Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Qods Force.

At first, it was reported that Brigadier General Esmail Qaani was martyred during the Israeli air attack on a building in southern Beirut which led to the martyrdom of Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah on September, 26. IRGC confirmed the martyrdom of one of its senior commanders, General Nilforooshan during the attack.

After recognition of the bodies of victims of this Israeli bombardment, the Western media launched a new wave of disinformation. They claimed that General Qaani has been seriously wounded in the attack, but he is alive. This fake news was corroborated after the claim that the IRGC Qods Force commander had come back to Tehran by the airplane of the Iranian foreign minister which had a short trip to Beirut.

When one of the senior IRGC officials reacted to the rumors on the health condition of General Qaani and strongly ruled out his martyrdom or injury, the Western media were forced to forge another lie. This time, the fictitious story of "Middle East Eye" was released. The website is based in London and is said to be funded by the Qatari government.

An Iraqi journalist, who is notorious for hostile stances against the resistance front, reported on October 9 that "10 sources in Tehran, Beirut and Baghdad" have said that Qaani has been under custody and has been "interrogated" due to his role in "intelligence breach" leading to Nasrallah's martyrdom.

Other media sources, too, went beyond to claim that Qaani has got "heart attack" during the interrogation. But, the commander who had been announced to be killed, wounded and arrested, appeared in a public event on Tuesday, October 15.

Qaani participated in the funeral of martyr Nilforooshan alongside other colleagues in the IRGC and other Iranian officials while he was completely healthy and calm. He was seen while praying and talking with the attendants. Thus, he rejected all claims of the Western media.

What are Western media doing?

Brigadier General Qaani, like his predecessor, Martyr Soleimani, is known for his little appearance in public. People like him are seen only in the official events where all Iranian officials attend. Therefore, the Western media's attempt to highlight his "long absence from public" in a bid to cause doubt on his being alive was ridiculous from the very beginning.

Seyyed Reza Sadr al-Hosseini, specialized in West Asian issues, said, "I think that, in addition to undermine the spirit of the resistance forces, the Western media, in complicity with the Israeli and American spying agencies, tried to trace Qaani and his activities, because it is usually difficult to gather information on the Qods Force commanders."

This expert warned that such a close and repeated collaboration with the spying apparatuses will tarnish the credit of the Western media irretrievably, a process which has already begun.

Public trust in the Western media has rapidly decreased. The media like, Reuters and New York Times, which used to be called "valid sources of information", are now facing increasing doubt owing to blatant inclination to distort realities. Gone are the days to accept their narrations blindly as innumerable persons are looking for alternative sources of information.

Key phrases: Who is General Qaani? IRGC Qods Force, resistance front, Western media, psychological war, rumor fabrication

RM/ME