CNN Falsely Says Iraq Supports Iranian Nuclear Weapons Programs

Weekly Example of Media Bias   —   Posted on June 7, 2006

Over the weekend, Iraq’s foreign minister, Hoshyar Zibari, and Iran’s foreign affairs chief held a meeting to discuss, among other things, Iran’s nuclear program. Afterward, the two held a press conference. CNN reported on the conference but instead of reporting that Iraq wanted Iran to guarantee its program was for peaceful purposes, the network implied that Iraq was backing its neighbor entirely.

Omar at Iraq the Model caught CNN in its error. Here’s what CNN claimed Zibari said:

Iran doesn’t claim that they want to obtain a nuclear weapon or a nuclear bomb, so there is no need that we ask them for any guarantee now.

Here’s what he actually said, as translated by Omar from the Arabic original:

We respect Iran’s and every other nation’s right to pursue nuclear technology for research purposes and peaceful use given they accept [giving] the internationally required guarantees that this will not lead to an armament race in the region.

For the complete report, go to NewsBusters.org.