Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has issued a grave caution about a potential covert operation orchestrated by the US and Israel aimed at implicating Iran in a large-scale terrorist attack. In a statement shared on the social media platform X this past Sunday, Larijani alleged that remnants of what he described as the “Epstein network” are plotting to stage an incident reminiscent of the September 11 attacks, with the intention of falsely attributing responsibility to Iran. This warning comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts in the region.
Larijani made it clear that while Iran remains steadfast in defending itself against what it perceives as aggression from the United States and Israel, it fundamentally rejects terrorism and harbors no hostility toward the American populace. His remarks underscore Tehran’s attempt to distance itself from any such violent acts and highlight the complex dynamics at play, where misinformation and covert operations threaten to escalate the already fragile situation.
Adding to the mounting diplomatic strain, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that the Israeli government might be targeting civilian and non-military infrastructure in various Arab countries. Araghchi, these attacks are designed to disrupt and weaken the diplomatic ties between Tehran and its Arab neighbors. This accusation follows the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ (IRGC) firm denial of any involvement in recent drone assaults on Riyadh and Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, which have heightened regional anxieties.
Araghchi further claimed that the United States has been manufacturing drones that closely resemble Iran’s indigenous “Shahed” models, using them to carry out attacks and subsequently shift the blame onto Tehran. This tactic, if true, would represent a sophisticated form of deception aimed at manipulating public perception and international opinion against Iran. The allegations come at a time when mistrust between Tehran, Washington, and their respective allies is reaching new heights.
Meanwhile, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, expressed deep skepticism regarding recent US intelligence reports suggesting that Iran might be preparing drone strikes launched from vessels near the California coastline. Baghaei dismissed these claims sarcastically, implying that they could serve as a pretext for a false flag operation. He also pointed out that the US already possesses numerous drones that are copies of Iranian designs, further fueling suspicions about the authenticity and motives behind such intelligence disclosures.
The backdrop to these developments is a conflict that erupted on February 28, following the assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders. Now entering its third week, the war has seen Iran launch over 50 waves of retaliatory attacks under the codename “Operation True Promise 4.” Iranian officials report that strikes by US and Israeli forces on civilian areas—including residential neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals—have resulted in at least 1,348 fatalities, underscoring the severe humanitarian consequences of this ongoing confrontation.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community watches closely, wary of any developments that could further destabilize the region. Larijani’s warnings about potential false flag operations highlight the dangerous game of misinformation and proxy conflicts that threaten to spiral into wider violence. The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can prevail or if the cycle of retaliation and suspicion will deepen further.
