WANA (Jun 21) – A week has passed since Israel launched its aggressive attacks on Iran’s territorial integrity. Alongside its military actions, Israel has unleashed a media offensive—spreading disinformation, psychological warfare, fear, confusion, and division using traditional and digital platforms.

 

Israel uses a broad range of media tactics, branding its attacks with terms like “legitimate defense” to mask its aggression. This report outlines eight major Israeli media strategies during its assault on Iran:

 

1. Rumor-Spreading & Power Projection

Israel executed classic psychological bombardment—spreading rumors, releasing questionable videos, and showcasing false power. Dozens of fake social media accounts, linked to Israeli cyber units, claimed Iran’s defense systems failed and underground sites were destroyed. However, no credible footage confirmed real damage. The goal was to instill anxiety and weaken Iranian public morale, not achieve military success.

 

2. False Narratives

Israel quickly pushed the image of a “precise and successful operation” after attacks on Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Shiraz, despite Iran’s Ministry of Defense confirming most drones were intercepted. Collaborating with outlets like NYT and Times of Israel, Israel framed its narrative to induce a sense of Iranian vulnerability and defeat.

 

3. Fake News Factory

Simultaneously, Israel spread doctored videos—e.g., using footage of one launcher from various angles to suggest multiple destructions. Claims ranged from blackouts to prison breaks, but many images were from unrelated events or recycled footage. A rehab center video was falsely labeled as a prison escape. The aim: portray chaos and lack of control in Iran.

 

4. Civilian Safety Propaganda

Israel claimed its strikes avoided civilian areas, yet hospitals and ambulances were hit. The Hakim hospital and an ambulance in Tehran were targeted, killing three medics. Kermanshah’s Farabi hospital was also bombed. Despite this, Israel pushed the narrative of “civilian safety” to shape international perception.

 

5. Precision vs. Randomness

Israeli media depicted their strikes as “surgical” while calling Iran’s response random. However, Iran targeted precise sites, including a Mossad-affiliated center in Erbil and the Weizmann Institute (linked to weapons development). TheMarker reported direct hits and destruction of key labs, with damages exceeding $100 million. Times of Israel later admitted 45 labs were destroyed.

 

6. Censorship and Concealment

Israel enforced strict media blackouts—blocking reporters, arresting journalists, and suppressing casualty data. The Washington Post reported 1,800 injuries, yet Israeli outlets barely acknowledged the toll. Reports of explosion sites were delayed or omitted to avoid public panic, with local reporters detained for coverage. One Israeli channel stated, “The whole world knows our condition—except our own people.”

 

7. Fabricated Military Power

Israeli media exaggerated or faked operations, such as calling the destruction of old F-14 mockups in Mehrabad a major victory. Some claimed fighter jets reached Mashhad—an impossible feat without refueling. Many drone or infiltrator attacks were rebranded as airstrikes to project overwhelming power.

 

8. AI, Hashtags & Manipulation

After the attacks, trending hashtags were driven by bots and AI, not real users. Cybersecurity analysts found over 70% of early activity was artificial, designed to spread panic and exaggerate the scope of war.

 

Israel’s media strategy is not just a military complement but a central battlefield. From fake videos to AI-driven trends, its goal is psychological dominance—not just over Iranians, but global perception.