After an Iranian news outlet affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported widespread missile testing, an Iranian state broadcaster denied that such testing occurred.

IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency said last Monday that “field observations and public reports” indicated missile tests were held across the country. Hamshahri, a newspaper controlled by the conservative Tehran region, appeared to confirm the reports with apparent missile test videos showing contrails.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB rejected the reports, citing “informed sources,” and said the trails were from high-altitude aircraft. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei appointed the head of the IRIB, which is controlled and funded by the state.

The aircraft comment became a point of humor in Iranian television. Mostafa Khoshcheshm, an Iranian international affairs analyst, said on a state television program that the videos showing contrails were of “vertical flight, solid-fuel passenger airliners.” He and the host laughed about his observation.

One reason for the miscommunication could be that the missile test, if it occurred, was unsuccessful.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and an expert on Iranian security policy, told the Washington Post that Iran often publicizes successful tests but downplays unsuccessful ones.

It could also indicate that the IRGC is decentralizing its missile system, which it may want to keep secret from Israel.

“If the tests were indeed part of such internal adjustments, there would have been little incentive to publicize them,” Azizi said.

The testing miscommunication comes as tensions peak between Iran and the United States, Israel, and Europe. It also comes as Israel remains concerned that Iran is gearing up its missile and nuclear programs after the June strikes crippled its capabilities.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that his country is engaged in a “full-fledged war” with the West and Israel.

“In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel, and Europe. They do not want our country to stand on its feet,” he said in an interview on the website of the Iranian supreme leader. “They are besieging us from every aspect; they are creating problems for us in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security-wise.”

IRAN’S PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRY AT WAR WITH US, ISRAEL, AND EUROPE

Pezeshkian also said Iran is “far stronger” than it was during its 12-day war with Israel.

“Therefore, if they choose to strike, they will then naturally face a more decisive response,” he warned.