Axios Reporter Used Media Coverage to Wage Psychological Warfare; Nuclear Issue Was Not on Agenda, Iranian Media Claims

According to Jin10, Tasnim News Agency accused Israeli journalist and Axios reporter Barak Ravid, whom it described as a prominent member of Israel's military Unit 8200, of publishing multiple reports early today to wage psychological warfare against Iran. Tasnim said Ravid portrayed U.S.-Iran talks as continuing while amplifying the possibility of U.S. military action, seeking to present “now” as the best and last chance for an agreement. The agency also said Ravid claimed Tehran had asked Washington to lift its maritime blockade to allow negotiations to continue, while Washington required nuclear concessions to resume dialogue. However, according to statements by Iranian officials, the nuclear issue was not part of the current round of indirect talks with the United States.