Amid tensions in the Middle East, Azerbaijani media outlets are actively disseminating misinformation in an attempt to damage the friendly relations between Armenia and Iran.
–
The Azerbaijani Axar.az website has published information, claiming that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated US President Donald Trump on the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
–
The Information Checking Center says this is an attempt by the Azerbaijani side to damage the Armenian-Iranian friendly relations, as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has not addressed any such message to Donald Trump. The website refers to Diana Harutyuniyan, a fake Facebook user who is involved in spreading false information.
–
The reports come after top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by an air strike at Baghdad airport early on Friday ordered by US President Donald Trump.
–
PM Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to hit back at the authors of a report claiming he congratulated US President Donald Trump on the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
–
“A fake Armenian-language account spreads the false news that I congratulated US President Donald Trump on launching a “successful” anti-Iranian operation. The report quickly appears in Azerbaijani press and becomes a trending news. The news then appears in Iranian press and becomes a source of anti-Armenian inspiration for certain forces. This is the case when the false “freedom” of speech poses a threat to our national security. The authors of the news and their motives need to be revealed,” PM Pashinyan said on Facebook.
–
H/T Public Radio of Armenia