Confusion rippled through Tehran on Monday after an IRGC-aligned news agency reported missile tests over several Iranian cities, only for state television to later deny that any launches had taken place.
The semi‑official Fars News Agency, citing field observations and public reports, said missile tests were observed in multiple locations, including Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Khorramabad and Mahabad.
The semi‑official outlet Nournews published videos that appeared to show missile launches, without specifying the exact locations, while other reports also pointed to launches in Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad.
Iran's state broadcaster, however, denied those reports a few hours later, citing “informed sources.
The images circulating “is not related to a missile test,” it said. “No missile test was conducted today."
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked about the reports in a press conference on Monday. "We are aware that Iran is conducting military exercises," he said, "We are making the necessary preparations."
Defense and security expert Farzin Nadimi told Iran International that the reported drills could be read as a signal.
“The Revolutionary Guard is sending the message that it has the capability to fire missiles simultaneously from several points across different parts of Iran’s territory,” Nadimi said.
“It is more of a reaction to the messages coming out of Israel, with the IRGC trying to strengthen its deterrence by creating an atmosphere.”
Credibility warning
The dispute comes less than two weeks after IRIB chief Peyman Jebeli admitted a false June report on downing an Israeli F‑35 fighter jet had damaged the broadcaster’s credibility, saying state TV had simply relayed what it was told by an “official military authority” before later conceding the story was wrong.
Moderate outlet Rouydad24 argued that the episode underscored the credibility damage already acknowledged by state TV’s own management.
“The latest clash with Fars News Agency risks further eroding public trust in state TV’s handling of sensitive military claims, with critics saying repeated walk‑backs over security stories have turned IRIB into a symbol of institutional unreliability,” Rouydad24 wrote.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected any discussion of Iran’s military capabilities, saying the country’s missile program had been developed solely to defend Iran’s sovereignty and was not subject to negotiation.
“Iran’s defensive capabilities are by no means an issue that can be discussed,” he said, defending what officials describe as a deterrent built to dissuade potential attacks on Iran.
