A select group of Saudi experts, academics, and media professionals affirmed during a specialized scientific symposium held at King Saud Universitythat modern media has transformed from a mere neutral conduit for events on the ground into a strategic and key player in shaping the balance of power and managing geopolitical conflicts. This came during a symposium organized by the Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna Chair for Energy and Specialized Media, and moderated by journalist Abdullah bin Shadid, under the title "Media Narratives… The American-Israeli-Iranian War."
Historical context and strategic transformation of media
Historically, the Middle East has been an arena for power struggles, with propaganda and media playing a pivotal role from the Cold War era to the present day. In the current digital age, and with escalating tensions in the region, the "weapon of narrative" has become as important as military weaponry. Controlling the flow of information and shaping international and domestic public opinion now determines the victor in modern conflicts even before the dust settles on the battlefield. This is particularly evident in the covert and overt conflict between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other.
Economic impact and media's connection to energy markets
On the economic front, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, advisor to the Minister of Energy, explained the strong and close correlation between media coverage and oil. He pointed out that this correlation becomes increasingly important and critical during political and military crises, as the Middle East region, and specifically waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, is a vital artery for global energy supplies. He added that the media, in all its forms, has become a compass guiding the market and prices, noting the rapid fluctuations witnessed in energy markets with the onset of recent attacks and military tensions.
Al-Muhanna pointed out that the ambiguity and conflicting nature of information led to fragmented media coverage and weak, sound petroleum analysis, warning that the continued repercussions of this conflict will have a profound impact on oil markets for years to come. He also drew attention to the emergence of non-Arab media outlets that succeeded in attracting large audiences, at a time when most Arab media, both print and broadcast, failed to rise to the level of the event and its regional impact.
The divergence in Western coverage and the impact of the Gaza war
For his part, former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Salma, confirmed that the American-Israeli confrontations with Iran are unprecedented in their current context, especially since they have often been waged without prior consultation with Washington’s traditional allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is contrary to the usual strategic norms of Western alliances.
Ben Salma revealed that European media coverage focused on security and economic concerns, noting a growing sense of disillusionment and eroding trust in the United States among Europeans—a trend that began to take clear shape during the presidency of Donald Trump. He also addressed the profound repercussions of the Gaza war on the Israeli narrative in the West, which has begun to lose its usual appeal. He made an exception for Spain's progressive stance, which refused to provide facilities for US forces and explicitly described Israel as responsible for igniting the war and expanding the conflict.
The War of Narratives: Israeli vs. Iranian Strategy
For his part, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Baiz, head of the media department at King Saud University, noted that the American media initially relied almost entirely on the official government narrative, before showing signs of breaking free from it as domestic opposition to the war grew. Al-Baiz contrasted the American approach, which stemmed from a domestic perspective seeking internal and electoral repercussions, with the British media, which tended to focus on the international dimension and the humanitarian suffering of those targeted on the ground.
Professor Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a professor of political media at King Saud University, emphasized that the Israeli narrative directed at the West cleverly redefines the “Iranian threat” to transcend the boundaries of geography and regional politics, transforming it into a threat to global security as a whole. Al-Mutairi concluded that this narrative primarily aims to legitimize preemptive military action and solidify Israel’s position as an indispensable security ally for the West, considering it an advanced model of “perception management” within the context of contemporary conflicts.
In a related context, Dr. Meshal Al-Waeel, a faculty member in the Department of Media, affirmed that Iran is fully aware of the importance of this soft war, and therefore employs two distinct yet parallel narratives: one emotional and nationalist to mobilize domestic public opinion, and the other ideological and political, targeting international and Arab audiences. The digital media specialist explained that this approach aligns with Tehran's ongoing efforts to control cultural centers in African and Arab countries, using them as soft power tools to export the principles of the Iranian Revolution.
Al-Waeel concluded his remarks by pointing to the Iranian media’s high ability to adapt to geopolitical developments and exploit Western divisions to its advantage, stressing that Iran’s systematic investment in “narrative warfare” has often surpassed the effectiveness of conventional weapons in achieving strategic goals and expanding regional influence.
