As of March 2026, the United States and Israel have launched direct military strikes on targets inside Iran, transforming what had long been a shadow war of cyberattacks, proxy clashes, and covert operations into overt interstate confrontation. The escalation has raised the prospect of sustained regional warfare involving not only Israel and Iran, but also armed groups across Lebanon, Iraq, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) has prepared this guide to support coverage of Iran that is precise, contextualized, and responsible.
This guide aims to provide key context on Iranian politics, society, and foreign policy, support source protection, particularly for those inside Iran, address misleading narratives and disinformation, and equip newsrooms with tools for accurate, ethical reporting.
This is a living document developed in consultation with journalists, regional experts, and media professionals. We encourage newsrooms to adopt and adapt these practices as events evolve.
The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association urges anyone covering this issue to:
Be aware that Iranian sources both domestically and in the diaspora face significantly higher security risks than other parts of the world, which can complicate reporting, like sources to self censoring. Care should be taken to ensure that coverage does not inadvertently endanger sources.
Best practices for sourcing in high-risk environments:
The direct military exchanges of February–March 2026 represent the culmination of a years-long shadow conflict between Israel and Iran that had already included cyberattacks, sabotage of nuclear facilities, targeted killings of Iranian scientists, Israeli strikes on Iranian positions in Syria, maritime incidents, and expanding missile and drone capabilities on both sides.
Israel has consistently framed its operations as efforts to constrain Iran’s nuclear and regional military reach, while Iran has expanded uranium enrichment beyond the limits of the 2015 nuclear agreement and deepened ties with armed groups across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
The 2024 Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria and the collapse of renewed nuclear talks in February 2026 removed key diplomatic guardrails, accelerating the shift from indirect confrontation to overt interstate warfare.
Iran’s foreign policy is marked by a network of alliances and strategic interests across the Middle East, extending its influence through various groups and nations. It is essential to understand that “support” does not necessarily equate to “control” in these relationships; often, they are alliances of convenience rather than direct command. Iran’s presence is notably strong in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, and Afghanistan, where it leverages its connections to promote its regional objectives.
It is common for political rhetoric — particularly from U.S., Israeli, or Gulf officials — to describe these groups as “Iranian proxies.” While some do receive significant support from Iran, equating support with direct control is often misleading.
“Iran-aligned,” “Iran-backed,” “receives support from Iran,” or “shares strategic interests with Iran.”
These phrases allow for nuance without assuming command-and-control dynamics. Many of these groups were founded independently of Iran’s involvement, focused on local or national goals, or leveraged Iran’s support to advance their own missions rather than acting as direct surrogates.
“While supported by Iran, the Houthis pursue their own domestic agenda in Yemen, and have at times acted independently of Iranian interests.”
When in doubt, attribute. If you’re reporting that Iran gives orders, funds entire operations, or deploys strategic commands, attribute that claim to intelligence agencies, government officials, or expert analysts.
“According to U.S. and Israeli intelligence officials, Iran has provided advanced weapons to Hezbollah and continues to coordinate certain operations.”
Note: While these groups maintain varying degrees of alignment with Iran, distinguish between ideological sympathy, logistical coordination, and direct operational control. In many cases, relationships are shaped by overlapping strategic interests rather than command-and-control dynamics.
When covering the unfreezing of Iranian funds under diplomatic agreements, clarify that these are repatriated sovereign assets — not payments or aid. Mischaracterizing them may contribute to disinformation and undermine public understanding.
While the Islamic Republic of Iran has, from its beginnings in 1979, made identification with the Palestine liberation struggle a cornerstone of its foreign policy, the regime's support for Palestinian armed groups must be seen in a larger geopolitical context, especially as a strategy of deterrence against what it has long considered its most dangerous adversary, namely the United States, and what it has seen as US proxies: Israel and conservative Arab monarchies such as Saudi Arabia.
Iran’s support for Palestinian groups is rooted in a combination of ideological and strategic motives. Coverage should distinguish between popular support, state policy, and geopolitical considerations. It should be understood, too, that popular Iranian support for the Palestinian struggle long predates the Iranian revolution, and while the previous, pre-revolutionary regime maintained security and political ties with Israel, those, too, were based on pragmatic considerations, and it has been argued that its relations with Israel were not as deep as current pro-monarchist Iranian activists have asserted in recent years.
Along with the significant Persian majority, Iran is home to multiple ethnic groups including Azeris, Kurds, Arabs, Balochs, Lurs, and many others. Grievances around cultural rights, economic neglect, and political representation exist across regions but should not be generalized as separatist.
Guidance:
Officials from certain states have long leveraged sectarian differences to challenge Iran's legitimacy among Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, and other predominantly Sunni Arab populations.
This reference list highlights journalists, scholars, and analysts whose work offers critical insight into Iran's political, cultural, and social dynamics. The individuals below are cited in major outlets, publish peer-reviewed research, and regularly contribute to informed public discourse on Iran. Curated by AMEJA for use by editors, producers, and reporters seeking credible and diverse voices.
Iran correspondent and award-winning journalist covering Iranian politics, U.S. national security, immigration, and business. Previously reported for The Washington Post, ProPublica, Reuters, and The Baltimore Sun, and is co-author of Stolen Revolution: Betrayal and Hope in Modern Iran.
Senior fellow and curator of The Iranist newsletter. An Iranian-American analyst with fifteen years of experience in the Middle East, her work focuses on Iranian politics, civil society, and digital discourse.
Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. A leading expert on Iran’s political economy and regional trade dynamics, his research explores authoritarian governance, spatial politics, and socio-economic hierarchies shaping Iran and the Persian Gulf.
Anthropologist and media scholar specializing in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, propaganda, and state-society dynamics. She offers rare insight into how Iran’s military and media apparatus respond to external attacks.
Writer, anthropologist, and editor-in-chief of Ajam Media Collective. Shams has a PhD from the University of Chicago focused on Iran and Middle East politics. With reporting experience across Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, he brings a nuanced grassroots lens to Iranian public sentiment and cultural responses in times of conflict.
Historian of modern Iran and U.S.–Middle East relations, and Nonresident Fellow at DAWN. Author of The State of Resistance, she provides timely analysis on Iranian politics, identity, and protest, and is a go-to voice for understanding how U.S. foreign policy shapes domestic dynamics during conflict.
Journalist, author, and NYU professor with two decades of experience covering Iran and the broader Middle East. Her expertise in gender, conflict, and political transformation makes her an essential voice for understanding how war and state repression shape civil society and regional dynamics.
Author, journalist, and NBC News contributor with a unique perspective as a former translator for Iranian presidents and commentator on U.S.–Iran relations. With a sharp critique of both regime and opposition, Majd brings rare contextual depth on Iran’s internal politics and foreign policy messaging during moments of escalation.
Scholar of Iranian media and cultural politics, and author of Soundtrack of the Revolution. With deep expertise in music, public discourse, and state power, she offers an essential lens on how Iranians use culture and digital platforms to respond to state violence and crisis.
Veteran broadcast journalist with deep reporting experience on Iranian politics, society, and diaspora perspectives. A strong source for real-time narrative framing and international media comparisons.
Policy analyst and writer focused on civil society, digital repression, and Iranian diaspora mobilization. He provides insight into how state violence and cyber measures affect protest networks and diaspora activism.
