Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has moved to quash a wave of online rumors claiming that Israeli or American forces have struck nuclear facilities in the central province of Isfahan. In a statement issued on Saturday, the IRGC’s provincial command called the reports “entirely false” and said no attack by the United States or what it termed the “Zionist regime” had taken place against nuclear centers in the area, according to Tasnim News Agency.
The statement came after posts on social media alleged that US–Israeli forces had targeted Isfahan’s nuclear infrastructure, sparking a fresh round of anxiety in a country already on high alert amid regional tensions. The IRGC said the circulation of such stories under “sensitive circumstances” was an attempt by hostile elements to create tension, alarm the public and disturb people’s psychological calm. It urged Iranians to refrain from sharing unverified claims, old images and reports from unknown sources.
Isfahan hosts key parts of Iran’s nuclear programme, including uranium conversion facilities, and has long been viewed as a potential target in any wider conflict involving Israel and the United States. In recent months, Tehran and Washington have traded accusations over sabotage, cyberattacks and covert operations, while Israel has repeatedly warned that it will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. The latest rumor mill comes as diplomatic efforts over Gaza and Iran have stalled and long-range strikes between Moscow and Kyiv have pushed civilian casualties in that war to new highs.
The IRGC’s swift denial appeared aimed at preventing panic and curbing speculation that could feed into broader fears of an imminent strike. Iranian state media and semi-official outlets echoed the message, emphasizing that the only “attack” underway was a campaign of psychological warfare waged through social networks. Security analysts in the region say such rumors, whether accidentally amplified or deliberately seeded, can quickly spiral into market jitters, currency swings and public unrest in an already volatile environment.
For now, Iranian officials are calling for calm and caution, asking citizens to treat dramatic claims about nuclear sites with skepticism unless confirmed by official channels. The incident underscores how, in an age of instant messaging and viral posts, a single unverified rumor can travel faster than any missile and sometimes hit just as hard.
