Iran’s media strategy aimed at shaping Arab public opinion has come under renewed scrutiny following recent regional conflicts, with critics accusing the Iranian regime of using so-called “soft power” to obscure its domestic repression and regional ambitions. Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has reportedly cultivated a network of proxies and media figures who operate in Arab media as analysts or commentators, promoting narratives favorable to Tehran’s interests.
Ahmed Al-Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Times, characterized these individuals as “Trojan horses” that distort political and economic realities in the Middle East. He argued that many Arab television outlets have provided platforms for Iranian proxies who present Iran as a victim of external aggression, particularly by the United States, while downplaying Iran’s role in regional instability.
Al-Jarallah challenged claims made by these commentators regarding the nature of alliances in the Gulf region. He noted that partnerships between Gulf Arab states and Western powers, especially the United States, are longstanding and not directed against any particular country. Conversely, he highlighted that Iran historically maintained strategic and military relationships with Western powers during the Shah’s reign, and that current alliances persist at various levels.
The analyst also emphasized that Iran’s regional proxy groups, often accused of perpetuating sectarian violence, have been responsible for numerous conflicts and terrorist incidents across Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf states. According to Al-Jarallah, allegations that Iran targets American military installations in the region are baseless.
He recalled the media discourse during Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, when some narratives portrayed the conflict as a stepping stone toward confronting Israel. Al-Jarallah contended that this invasion undermined Arab solidarity and ultimately served to benefit Israel, illustrating how misinformation has historically been used to manipulate public opinion.
The article condemned certain Arab media figures for disseminating inflammatory statements that insult countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of subservience to foreign powers while praising the Iranian-Russian-Chinese axis. Al-Jarallah described these commentators as mercenaries motivated by financial gain, responsible for spreading propaganda that distorts facts and sows discord in the Arab world.
Al-Jarallah argued that foreign media outlets avoid giving platforms to such individuals due to concerns about misleading audiences, implying a lack of similar editorial oversight in some Arab media. He also referenced historic instances where misinformation influenced perceptions surrounding events like the Lebanese Civil War, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and the so-called “Arab Spring.”
Ultimately, the commentary urged greater caution in accepting media narratives that may serve the interests of Iran’s regime, underscoring the ongoing challenges the Arab public faces in obtaining accurate information on complex regional issues.