U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two‑week cease‑fire between the United States, Iran and Israel on Tuesday night, linking it to the "complete, immediate, and safe opening" of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that moves roughly 20 % of the world's oil. The deal, brokered with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was described by Trump on Truth Social as a "total and complete victory" for the United States and as a basis for a longer‑term peace agreement built on Iran's 10‑point proposal.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement calling the pause a "great victory," asserting that the United States suffered an "undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat" and was forced to accept demands that include lifting all sanctions, withdrawing U.S. forces and recognising Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. CNN's live blog ran the headline "Iran claims victory, says it forced U.S. to accept 10‑point plan," citing the SNSC statement as reported by Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency.
Trump quickly labelled the Iranian statement a "FRAUD" on Truth Social, accusing CNN of knowingly amplifying it and alleging it originated from "a new, trouble‑making fake news site from Nigeria." He ordered the network to retract the report, apologise and warned that authorities were probing whether a crime had occurred. A CNN spokesperson countered that the material was obtained directly from Iranian officials and verified through established channels; no retraction has been issued. The specific Nigerian website was not identified.
The cease‑fire has eased global oil markets and prompted celebrations in Tehran, though Iran warned its forces remain on alert and Israel said its Lebanon operations continue independently of the truce. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran are slated to start in Islamabad on Friday.
Trump's unverified claim that a Nigerian site supplied the disputed Iranian statement could cast undue suspicion on Nigerian media outlets. If the allegation gains traction, it may damage the credibility of legitimate Nigerian news sources and fuel broader skepticism toward African digital platforms.
