• Source:JND
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A senior Iranian official has stirred controversy and ridicule online after claiming that Israel employed supernatural forces, jinn, and occult practices during its recent 12-day conflict with Iran. Abdollah Ganji, former editor of the IRGC-affiliated newspaper Javan and now an advisor to the mayor of Tehran, made the claims on X (formerly Twitter), drawing widespread attention.

In his post to over 150,000 followers, Ganji stated, “After the recent war, several sheets of paper were found on the streets of Tehran containing talismans with Jewish symbols.”

He described the appearance of such papers as part of a "strange phenomenon" and linked them to what he claimed were historical uses of occult sciences and supernatural entities by Israel and Western intelligence services. Ganji also referred to earlier rumours that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had consulted occult specialists during the Gaza war.

Who Are Jinn?

In Islamic tradition, jinn are supernatural beings made of fire, separate from humans who are made of clay. As described in the Quran and pre-Islamic folklore, they can shapeshift, possess extraordinary powers, and are believed to be capable of influencing human thoughts or acting as agents in espionage or harm.

Ganji’s remarks align with past statements by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has warned that hostile intelligence agencies “use occult sciences and jinn entities for espionage.”

Satellite Image Fuels Speculation

Adding fuel to the fire, a satellite image began circulating online around the same time as Ganji’s post. It appeared to show geometric patterns resembling Stars of David and triangles etched into the desert near a missile base in central Iran, prompting further speculation and conspiracy theories.

Ganji’s claims were met with sharp criticism and satire, especially from Israeli commentators. An X account claiming to represent Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, mocked the claim in Persian, “Consuming drugs and conversing with jinn are not desirable traits in someone leading a country.” Israel’s political advisor to the UN, Waleed Gadban, also joined in, sarcastically posting, “Jinn, jinn are everywhere,” with a ghost emoji.