Fact Check: Did Iranian state TV say, 'Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries'?

Fact Check: Did Iranian state TV say, "Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries"?

What We Know

In mid-June 2025, a rumor circulated on social media claiming that Iranian state television announced, "Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries." This claim gained traction after being shared widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, among others. A notable post on June 17, 2025, from a user on X received over 12 million views, stating that Iranian state TV had made this announcement (Snopes). However, searches of major news outlets such as Agence France-Presse, The Associated Press, and Reuters found no corroborating reports of this announcement, which would typically be covered as major breaking news if true (Snopes).

The rumor appears to have originated from an account on X named Tehran Updates, which posted the alleged quote without any supporting evidence (Snopes). Other outlets, including Newsweek and The Daily Mail, reported the claim as fact, but did not provide any video or reliable sources to substantiate it (Snopes).

Analysis

The claim that Iranian state TV made such an announcement lacks credible evidence. While it was widely shared on social media, the absence of coverage from reputable news agencies raises significant doubts about its authenticity. The posts that circulated did not include any video or direct quotes from Iranian state television, which is unusual for a claim of this magnitude.

Furthermore, the initial source of the rumor, the account Tehran Updates, is not affiliated with any government entity and is described as providing "live war updates," which suggests a potential bias or sensationalism in its reporting (Snopes). The lack of verification from established news organizations further undermines the reliability of the claim.

In the context of heightened tensions in the Middle East at that time, such rumors can easily spread and gain traction, but they should be approached with skepticism unless supported by credible evidence.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that Iranian state TV announced, "Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries," is false. The absence of credible sources and the lack of verification from reputable news agencies indicate that this rumor is unfounded. It appears to have originated from a social media post without any substantial evidence to support it.

Fact Check: Did Iranian state TV say, 'Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries'?