Thirty-six days after the start of the military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, not only have the declared objectives of the operation failed to materialize, but growing evidence is emerging of strategic deadlock and military as well as political setbacks for the aggressor parties. The war, which began with large-scale strikes and the killing of civilians, including innocent schoolchildren, quickly expanded into a crisis with broad humanitarian, security, and economic dimensions, prompting varied reactions across international media.
Media outlets around the world, each through their own editorial lens, have sought to shape the narrative of this war; examining these reflections can provide a clearer picture of the actual state of the conflict and its possible trajectory.
Western media
Guardian, in a report titled "Trump’s Iran war is now beyond rhyme or reason" written by David Tayler, wrote: In our crazy, unregulated world, we watch the unedifying spectacle of two rogue nations, each awash with nuclear weapons, going to war to stop a third rogue nation from acquiring similar weaponry. The resulting conflict is bringing chaos, death and destruction to the Middle East, and instability and unknowable consequences to the rest of us. If this is the new “world order”, where rogue nations are free to pick and choose their next acquisitions, it surely gives the green light to those with more legitimate claims – China with Taiwan, Spain with Gibraltar, Argentina with the Falklands. So, what can be done to halt this descent into madness? It is left to us as individuals to do what we can, and I suggest we learn from the successful campaign against apartheid in South Africa. There, a boycott of products from that country and a cricket embargo was instrumental in changing minds. A healthy swerving of US and Israeli products and services, combined with a disengagement from this summer’s Fifa World Cup, might begin to persuade both nations to rethink their antagonism to those of us beyond their shores.
Atlantic Council, in a report, titled "Attacking Iran’s energy and water infrastructure is not a winning strategy", wrote: The US president wants to force Iran to concede to his demands, and he has threatened additional strikes on Iranian infrastructure if no deal is reached. US attacks on Iran’s infrastructure would almost certainly succeed—but so would Iranian attacks on [Persian] Gulf infrastructure, and Iran would remain unlikely to open up the Strait of Hormuz. In that scenario, Iran would likely seek to portray itself as the winner and Trump as the loser. The Trump administration needs a different strategy.
NBC News, in a report, wrote: Trump said Iran was 'decimated.' Then an American F-15E fighter jet was shot down. Less than 48 hours after President Donald Trump told Americans the U.S. military had “beaten and completely decimated Iran,” Tehran shot down an F-15E fighter jet, setting off a high-risk scramble by U.S. forces to rescue two service members from deep inside Iranian territory. Iran also struck two Blackhawk helicopters and an attack jet that were assisting in the search and rescue effort. Iran’s attack on the F-15E on Friday was the first time in decades that a U.S. fighter jet had been downed by enemy fire. One of the service members was rescued, while the U.S. military searched for the other. There were minor injuries to U.S. forces on the Blackhawk helicopter, and the pilot of the attack aircraft, an A-10 Thunderbolt, safely ejected over Kuwaiti airspace, according to a U.S. official. But the developments marked a potential turning point in the war for Americans, as the White House’s account of how the war is going — emphasizing the U.S. military successes and downplaying the threat Iran still poses — is in conflict with its grim realities.
Arab and Regional Media
Al Jazeera Media Network reported on the factors behind Iran’s success in downing advanced U.S. fighter jets on Friday, stating that both American and Iranian sources confirmed the crash of one McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle inside Iran and damage to two helicopters, while reports also emerged of a second American fighter jet being brought down. Military analysts linked the incident to low-altitude attack maneuvers, technical or human error, and the effectiveness of Iranian air defense systems such as S-300 and Bavar-373. According to the report, the event challenged U.S. claims of complete air superiority over Iran and underscored the complexity and unpredictability of the battlefield. It added that the future operational impact depends on whether Iran’s air defenses have sustainably restored effectiveness or whether the incident remains isolated.
Asharq Al-Awsat, in an article examined the dual challenge facing Donald Trump: the external war with Iran and an internal ideological confrontation between nationalist Republicans and pluralist liberal Democrats. The article argued that the divide extends beyond politics into identity, values, and social structure, with effects reaching Western Europe. It contrasted the Barack Obama administration’s regional approach with Trump’s confrontational policy toward Iran, presenting the current war as the outcome of that strategic divergence and describing its consequences as unprecedented in the past half-century.
Almasirah TV wrote that the Israeli economy entered one of its worst periods in decades, with a 2.5 percent contraction in the first quarter and projections of 9.5 percent if the war continues. The report highlighted damage or bankruptcy affecting more than 76,000 companies, daily losses estimated at 2 to 2.5 million dollars, the shutdown of the Port of Eilat, disruption of northern economic activity because of the Lebanon front, and an energy crisis linked to strikes on Haifa Oil Refinery. It also connected the war to oil prices above $118, U.S. debt pressures, and Europe’s energy difficulties.
Al Ahed News, in an article, argued that the most significant impact of the resistance in its confrontation with Israel has been altering the enemy’s strategic calculations rather than only producing field results. The article said previous assumptions held that Hezbollah could not sustain a broad confrontation under pressure, but recent developments disproved that view. It described endurance under pressure as the core of resistance power, noting that this disrupted Israeli forecasting, reduced expansionist momentum, and weakened anti-resistance political discourse inside Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen reported that Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were accused of attempting to profit financially from the war launched by their father through the company Parvus. According to the report, they were seeking to market interceptor drones to [Persian] Gulf states at a time when Trump, as commander-in-chief, had recently led coordinated strikes against Iran with Israel.
Sabah columnist Bercan Tutar wrote that by its fifth week, the Iran war and the crisis around Strait of Hormuz had already overturned multiple regional and global assumptions. He argued that the U.S.-Israeli military campaign, combined with attacks on civilian infrastructure, had also taken on humanitarian dimensions.
Türkiye Gazetesi argued that the joint course pursued by the United States and Israel has moved beyond predictability because battlefield realities show outcomes diverging from initial plans.
Chinese and Russian Media
China Global Television Network said China is increasingly viewed as the most credible mediator, as the United States is directly involved in the war and Europe has limited room to influence Tehran.
Sputnik reported that internal dismissals ordered by Pete Hegseth reflect growing tension inside the United States Department of Defense, with critics warning of weakened military cohesion.
Sputnik also said military analysts consider forcing open Strait of Hormuz militarily highly difficult because of Iran’s coastline and missile-drone capabilities.
RT linked the war to a sharp oil surge, with Dated Brent reaching $141.37 and concerns rising over global recession risks.
RT also reported that Tucker Carlson described the conflict as evidence of declining U.S. global power and argued that diplomacy remains the only workable solution.
Israeli Media
Israel Hayom wrote that the reported downing of a U.S. aircraft over Iran has raised concern within the Israeli Air Force over the risk that Israeli manned aircraft could also be targeted in future missions.
Maariv said differences have emerged between United States and Israel over how far to escalate pressure on Iran, with Washington favoring restraint and Israel seeking broader infrastructure targets.
Ynet reported that U.S. intelligence believes Iran can quickly restore missile launch platforms and still retains a substantial missile capability despite recent strikes.
MNA
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