Spanish Newspaper: Iran Achieves a “Viral Victory” in Its Media Battle with the United States

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

The Spanish newspaper El País highlighted the escalating media war between Iran and the United States, noting that Tehran has succeeded in achieving what it described as a “viral victory” through the widespread dissemination of digital content across social media platforms.

Digital Dominance Through Smart Content

The newspaper explained that Iran has intensified its reliance on animated videos and content produced using Artificial Intelligence, which have garnered millions of views on platforms such as Telegram, X, and Instagram—portraying itself as a power capable of confronting pressure and challenges.

Targeting Youth with Innovative Methods

According to the report, much of this content is created by members of the Millennial and Generation Z cohorts, who leverage modern internet tools and culture—including satire, humor, and rap music—to deliver political messages in a simplified and engaging manner. This has helped boost their global reach, particularly among younger audiences.

Leveraging Western Culture in Political Messaging

The newspaper noted that some videos drew inspiration from Western entertainment works such as The Lego Movie, embedding political messages within entertaining formats in an effort to reach broader audiences beyond traditional ideological frameworks.

Satirical Messages Target Political Leaders

The report also referenced examples of such content, including clips depicting Donald Trump in a caricatured manner and linking him to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, within narratives that criticize U.S. policies and connect them to controversial international issues.

Expert: The Key Is Appealing to “Common Logic”

The newspaper cited researcher Luciano Zaccara, who attributed the success of this type of content to its ability to “appeal to common logic” and focus on criticizing policies and figures without delving into direct ideological rhetoric—making it more shareable globally.

U.S. Missteps Strengthen Iran’s Narrative

In contrast, the newspaper pointed to several shortcomings in U.S. media performance, suggesting that Iran’s rapid and often sarcastic responses via official accounts—including diplomatic missions—have helped amplify the Iranian narrative on a wide scale.

A Parallel Battle Reshaping the Conflict

The report concluded that the media battle has become a parallel arena to traditional conflict, where low-cost tools such as digital content play an increasingly significant role in influencing global public opinion and reshaping perceptions of the conflict beyond the scope of military confrontation.