Recent wars reshaped global perception of Iran: Baghaei
Iran's wartime conduct has reshaped its image in global public opinion, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. He says decades of negative propaganda have damaged Iran's image, becoming a basis for calculation and decision-making about the country.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says recent wars have reshaped the country's image in global public opinion. He attributes this to decades of negative propaganda that have damaged Iran's image and become a basis for calculation and decision-making about the country.
Imagine Iran as a puzzle with many pieces. Recent wars have changed how people see Iran in the world. It's like a new picture has been drawn, showing Iran in a different light. This new picture is not just about Iran's military, but also about its people and how they work together.
Analysis
Iran's Reshaped Image in Global Public Opinion
Iran's wartime conduct has reshaped its image in global public opinion, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. He says decades of negative propaganda have damaged Iran's image, becoming a basis for calculation and decision-making about the country.
Baghaei attributes this to the demonisation and dehumanisation of Iran, where a nation is first maligned through stereotypes, then accused of human rights violations, support for terrorism or dictatorship, until action against it is made to appear legitimate.
However, the events of the past year and a half have exposed many common stereotypes about Iran and forced a revision of some fixed assumptions. One such assumption was that Iran's governance structure was dependent on individuals and would collapse with the removal of senior officials.
Baghaei says Iran's rapid reaction and the continuity of its institutions showed that Iran is a country of institutions, not persons. By contrast, he says the United States, long presented as an institution-based state, has been shown in some cases to be heavily influenced by particular individuals and groups.
The wartime behaviour of the Iranian people has shown Iran's capacities not only in the military field but also in diplomacy, negotiation, and intellectual arenas. Baghaei says the emergence of a 'civilisational nation' is visible in the people's conduct, combining Iran's epic and national heritage with religious concepts such as the Ashura uprising and 'Hayhat minna al-dhilla'.
This combination has helped the country emerge as an integrated society at one of its most sensitive moments. Baghaei says the narrative confrontation is continuing, and that the country needs to properly understand, narrate, and draw on the assets built during this period.
If the assets formed in this period are properly recognised, articulated, and explained to the new generation, the Iran of the future can be stronger than the Iran of today.
Key points
- Iran's wartime conduct has reshaped its image in global public opinion.
- Decades of negative propaganda have damaged Iran's image and become a basis for calculation and decision-making about the country.
- The events of the past year and a half have exposed many common stereotypes about Iran and forced a revision of some fixed assumptions.
- Iran's rapid reaction and the continuity of its institutions have shown that Iran is a country of institutions, not persons.
If Iran continues to build on the assets formed during this period, the country can emerge stronger than ever. The Iranian people's conduct has shown their capacity for diplomacy, negotiation, and intellectual work, which can be a foundation for future growth.
However, the narrative confrontation is ongoing, and Iran needs to properly understand and narrate its assets to the new generation. If this is not done, the country may struggle to build on its strengths and may face challenges in the future.
