Viral video of Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi ‘admitting’ India shared Iranian ship’s location is fake
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A video showing India’s Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi is being widely shared on social media with a serious claim. Users say the Army Chief “admitted” that India shared the location of an Iranian naval ship with Israel, leading to its destruction.
The clip, which is around 57 seconds long, is circulating at a time when tensions remain high in West Asia, with the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
Claim being shared
In the viral video, Dwivedi appears to say that India informed Israel about the exact location of an Iranian naval ship after it moved out of Indian waters. The statement also suggests that India had no role in the attack but shared intelligence as part of a strategic understanding with Israel.
Several users on X posted the clip with captions claiming that India had “betrayed” Iran. One such post by an account named GPX gained over 43,000 views and was reshared more than 400 times. Another account, GeopolPt, also shared the same claim, receiving thousands of views.
The video was also sent to fact-checkers for verification through WhatsApp.
Background of the incident
The claim is linked to reports that the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena was attacked on March 4 near the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The ship had earlier taken part in a multinational naval exercise in Visakhapatnam and was returning to Iran. Around 130 personnel were said to be on board.
What the investigation found
A closer look at the viral video shows a ticker reading “Raisina Dialogue 2026 × Firstpost.”
Using this detail, a search led to a full interview of Upendra Dwivedi uploaded by Firstpost on March 7. The video is titled “India’s Army Chief Speaks on Op Sindoor, Pakistan and Future of Warfare | Raisina Dialogue 2026.”
In this 21-minute interview, Dwivedi speaks with Harsh V. Pant about Operation Sindoor, Pakistan and changes in modern warfare.
🚨 Deepfake Video Alert
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 9, 2026
Pakistani propaganda accounts are sharing a digitally manipulated video of the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, making false claims that when the Iranian ship crossed the international waters, as Israeli strategic allies, it was our duty to… pic.twitter.com/itQ63pXGuF
However, there is no mention anywhere in the interview about Iran, Israel, the United States, or any Iranian naval ship being attacked.
This makes it clear that the viral clip has been edited using footage from the interview and altered to create a false narrative.
AI analysis and official response
The viral clip was also checked using Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool. The result showed a 99.9% probability that the audio in the video was generated using artificial intelligence.
Further, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-check wing confirmed that the video is digitally manipulated. In a post on X, PIB Fact Check stated that the clip of the Army Chief is fake.
Conclusion
The viral video does not show a real statement by Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi. It is a manipulated clip created using an original interview and AI-generated audio.
The claim that India shared the location of an Iranian naval ship with Israel is false.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
