Internet sleuths' bizarre theory linking Israel conflict to pizza is debunked

Israeli bombs began falling on Tehran on Thursday night and into Friday morning, sparking fears of an all-out war - and Donald Trump left the G7 summit early as a result
A bizarre theory connecting the Israel and Iran conflict to a spike in pizza deliveries near the Pentagon has been rubbished.
Internet sleuths believed they spotted signs of the initial Israeli bombardment days earlier - by tracking activity at pizzerias near the huge government building. The Pentagon Pizza Report, an online group, noted a surge in orders at District Pizza Palace, a takeaway two miles from the Pentagon, the night before the attack.
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Around one hour before the bombing began at about 7pm on Thursday (local time), the group, which has 100,000 followers, wrote on X: "All nearby pizza establishments have experienced a HUGE surge in activity."
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For the group, it was confirmation of the long-held theory that global crises can be linked to an increase in takeaway orders for employees working late at the Pentagon. The White House has since said it knew about the bombardment in advance.
READ MORE: Donald Trump leaves G7 summit early - hours before Volodymyr Zelensky due to arrive
Online detectives use live tools like Google Maps to track footfall. Spikes were noted last year before the April and October Iranian drone attacks on Israel, reports The Times. However, this theory has now been debunked.
Experts say the data can be influenced by external events. Zenobia Homan, senior research fellow at King's College London's Centre for Science and Security Studies, told the publication: "My initial thought is to be sceptical because it sounds like a case of confirmation bias. I'm not saying they're wrong, but I want to see way more data."
A food vendor concession runs throughout the night for those working late at the Pentagon, The Department of Defence said. It added it does not track employees' meal choices.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, has made a chilling threat against Iran's supreme leader, saying he is "an easy target" and that his location his known. The US president, though, claimed there are no plans to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "at least for now".
He posted on Truth Social: "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. "He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Late on Tuesday evening, officials told CBS News that Trump is considering joining Israel to strike Iranian nuclear sites, including in Fordow. The president is considering a range of options, including a possible strike, following a meeting with his national security team, US media are reporting this evening.

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The Independent

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Reuters

an hour ago

• Reuters

Japan calls for de-escalation of Iran conflict

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Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

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