ISLAMABAD: The growing reliance of Pakistani social media users and some local news platforms on Iran International for coverage of Iranian affairs has raised concerns over the credibility and neutrality of information being circulated.
Iran International, which was initially headquartered in the United Kingdom before shifting its main operations to Washington, operates bureaus in Tel Aviv, France and Canada but has no presence inside Iran. The channel is widely viewed as critical of the Iranian government, with reports suggesting its broadcasts are backed by Israeli-linked funding.
Several of the channel’s prominent reporters and analysts are based in Israel, including correspondent Babak Es’haghi, who resides near Tel Aviv, and senior analyst Meir Javedanfar, who lives in the Israeli capital. Another regular contributor, Menashe Amir — originally from Tehran — has long been associated with Israeli media and diplomatic circles.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan has on multiple occasions urged Pakistani media outlets to avoid using Iran International and similar platforms as sources, warning that such content reflects a clear political agenda rather than balanced journalism.
Officials at the embassy have stressed that uncritical reliance on these outlets risks spreading misinformation and propaganda, and have called on journalists to prioritise verified and impartial sources when reporting on Iran-related developments.