This article from Al Jazeera examines the strategic use of images and media narratives in the current war involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Political media expert Khaled Al-Azi argues that the representations of the conflict often do not depict the full reality, particularly in how attacks on Iranian cities like Tehran are presented. Instead of informing the public about the intense strikes faced by civilians, media narratives tend to suggest that the regime is the sole target, which could affect public sentiment in Iran.

Al-Azi notes that this manipulation of information serves a dual purpose; on one hand, it aims to protect the Iranian populace from feeling personally threatened, while on the other, it seeks to generate sympathy for the U.S. narrative. The calls from figures like former President Donald Trump for Iranians to stay indoors and avoid attack zones are framed by Al-Azi as strategic attempts to gain the hearts of the Iranian people, suggesting that if the populace perceives themselves at risk, they might rally around the Revolutionary Guard and oppose the desired changes advocated by Washington and Tel Aviv.

The article also touches on how even leaked images from U.S. media may be fashioned to boost public support for leaders like Trump, reinforcing a narrative that could benefit their political standing. This raises important questions about the ethical considerations of media representation during wartime, the psychological impact on affected populations, and the broader implications for international relations and domestic politics in Iran.