What Iranians are being told about the war
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Iranian state media delayed confirming Khamenei's death, focusing on civilian casualties over military strikes
How This Affects You
Iranians receive filtered war information through state censorship and internet blackouts, limiting access to independent news
AI Summary
Iranian state media remained silent for hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on February 28 that there were "signs that the tyrant is no more," suggesting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in a joint US-Israeli strike. An IRTV3 news presenter dismissed reports of Khamenei's death as "baseless rumours," urging viewers to trust official information, before Iranian state media finally confirmed the death the following morning after President Trump announced it on social media. The BBC's analysis of Iranian state media coverage during the first week of the war found outlets focused on civilian suffering and calls for retaliation while giving little attention to military and government facilities struck by Israel and the US. Iran operates one of the world's most repressive media environments according to Reporters Without Borders, with internet blackouts and censorship leaving Iranians largely cut off from independent information during conflicts.
What's Being Done
State media emphasizes civilian suffering while downplaying military losses and infrastructure damage
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Middle East war live: Trump says 'we're talking' to Iran but it's not 'ready' for deal to end war
US officials predict quick end to Iran war, while Tehran says it can outlast foes - Yahoo News UK
US and Iran Keep Up Strikes as Trump Mulls Possibility of a Deal - Bloomberg.com
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GlobalUS ignites Iran war, but Gulf Arab states pay the price, Gulf sources say - Reuters
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GlobalGulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war - AP News
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US and Iran Keep Up Strikes as Trump Mulls Possibility of a Deal - Bloomberg.com
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