Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly rejected a story by a media outlet owned by Israeli-American billionaire Miriam Adelson. The outlet made a dramatic claim about Iran that Araghchi said was false. He encouraged people to consider who benefits from such stories and why they are spread. Araghchi said, “Whenever Miriam Adelson’s media pushes a dramatic claim about Iran, it’s worth asking who it serves. Even the US President has mentioned where her main loyalties lie.”
The media story claimed that Iran had “deceived” US President Donald Trump and that the country had executed protesters. Araghchi strongly denied these claims, saying, “The facts: no executions have happened, no court process has been completed, and more than 2,000 prisoners have been pardoned.” This story appeared just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to visit the White House. Reports said Netanyahu’s visit aimed to slow down the talks between the US and Iran. So far, both Tehran and Washington have expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing discussions and diplomatic progress.
Miriam Adelson, a casino owner and widow of Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, is one of President Trump’s largest financial supporters. During the last US election, she donated $100 million to a pro-Trump political group, making her the single largest donor to his campaign. Her media outlets are considered influential in shaping political narratives, especially in US-Israel relations.
Araghchi’s response highlights how Iranian officials are closely monitoring international media narratives that could affect negotiations and public perception. He urged people to carefully question dramatic stories, especially when they come from sources with clear political or financial interests. By challenging false claims about Iran, officials aim to protect the country’s image, support fair reporting, and ensure that the public is not misled by politically motivated stories.