Iran warns of Israeli false-flag operations in region amid ongoing tensions

TEHRAN – Iranian officials, Egyptian authorities and the U.S. military exchanged competing claims on Friday, highlighting growing tensions and an ongoing information battle surrounding recent regional developments.

In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described Egypt as “an important friend and partner in the region,” stressing that “its security is of utmost importance to us.”

Araghchi also urged regional countries to remain alert, saying, “We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace.” He added that “the threat is clear, mutual, and fearful of Muslim solidarity.”

His remarks came as Egypt rejected reports alleging that it had blamed Iran for an attack on Damietta Port.

According to Egypt’s Minister of Information, media reports linking Iran to the alleged attack on the port were “baseless.”

Separately, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf** accused the United States of carrying out attacks on civilians.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, “The United States soils its hands with a new crime every day; the terrorist attack on the residential homes of civilians on Qeshm Island is a continuation of the atrocities in Minab and Lamerd.”

He further said, “Americans have grown accustomed to making up for the slaps they receive on the battlefield by spilling the blood of the innocent. They will pay the price.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released what it described as satellite images showing hangars at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, where it claimed U.S. F-35 fighter jets had been stationed. Iranian media reported that the hangars were destroyed in Iran’s retaliatory strikes.

In a statement, the IRGC called for an end to censorship, saying, “End the censorship and give the world accurate information.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the Iranian claims in a post on X, accusing Iranian state media of spreading false information.

“CLAIM: The IRGC claims three U.S. F-35 stealth fighters and three other aircraft were destroyed during a recent Iranian attack on an American air base,” CENTCOM wrote.

It responded: “FACT: No U.S. aircraft were destroyed or damaged in recent attempted Iranian attacks. All missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach targeted areas.”

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