WANA (Mar 26) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has lashed out at The New York Times, accusing the American daily of using “sanitized” language to mask military aggression and illegal occupation.

 

Baghaei’s remarks came in response to a breaking news report by the outlet which stated that “Israel announced it plans to expand the territory it controls in Lebanon and remain there after the war.”

 

The spokesperson condemned the phrasing as a violation of journalistic ethics intended to justify the violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Taking to X, Baghaei wrote:

 

“‘Planning to expand the territory it controls’ is a euphemism for military aggression and illegal occupation in Lebanon: this is how sanitized, politically correct journalism whitewashes violations of international law and conceals the brutal reality of atrocity, death, and destruction on the ground.”