In today’s world, military power is no longer measured solely by missile blasts and the roar of fighter jets. Alongside every military strike runs a quieter yet far more influential battle: the war of narratives. In the latest conflict between Iran and Israel, missiles matter—but perhaps not as much as the stories told about them. This is a war not just fought in the skies, but also in headlines, hashtags, and the minds of millions.

Who Started It? A Matter of Narrative

One of the first questions in any military conflict is, “Who fired the first shot?” Israel, with its display of large-scale aerial attacks on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, has tried hard not to look like the aggressor. Instead, its media has framed the operation against Iran as a preemptive, precision strike, repeatedly invoking phrases like “surgical deterrence” and “response to imminent threats.”

Iran, on the other hand, has framed the Israeli attack as a clear act of unlawful aggression, justifying its counterattack under the mantle of “legitimate self-defense.” Iranian state-aligned media used key phrases like “True Promise,” “missile deterrence,” and “breaking Zionist hegemony,” presenting Iran’s response not simply as revenge, but as a righteous assertion of sovereignty.

The Hero-Victim Dichotomy

In narrative warfare, the most successful player is the one who can cast itself simultaneously as both powerful hero and wronged victim. Israel has tried to maintain this balance by showcasing targeted assassinations of Iranian military figures—highlighting its intelligence prowess—while also broadcasting images of Israeli children in bomb shelters and families fleeing the south, reinforcing the victimhood angle.

Iran has adopted a similar duality: scenes of bombed-out facilities in Natanz and power outages in Isfahan were distributed alongside videos of missile launches striking Tel Aviv and drones breaching Israel’s Iron Dome. Iran aimed to construct an image of a resilient, suffering nation that refuses to be silenced—embodying both grief and strength.

Social Media as a Battlefield

Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become frontline arenas in modern conflicts. Hashtags such as #IranUnderAttack and #IsraelUnderFire aren’t just labels—they are digital trenches. Iranian social media have seen stark polarization: some users proudly praised the missile responses, while others posted memes of fear, anger, or despair, using sarcastic hashtags like #UncleNetanyahu or sharing clips of families searching for shelter under red skies.

In Israel, a similar split has emerged. Alongside patriotic coverage and official military statements, some media outlets and citizens have expressed frustration over failed air defenses and criticized Netanyahu’s escalation strategy. Public perception is no longer a passive reflection of state messaging—it’s a volatile, active force in its own right.

Narratives as Strategic Weapons

Both Iran and Israel understand that in today’s hyper-connected world, no missile flies without a message. Every video, every press release, every photo from a battlefield is part of a broader psychological and political operation. The true targets are not just cities and command centers—they’re hearts and minds, both domestic and international.

This is not just about defending borders, but about defending legitimacy. The narrative of “resistance and dignity” promoted by Iran aims to resonate not just within its population, but across the Arab world. Israel’s counter-narrative of “precision and protection” is crafted to reassure allies in the West and dissuade future retaliation.

The Battle That Never Ends

Even if this round of missile exchanges subsides, the narrative war continues unabated. The question is not just who has better drones or more advanced defense systems—it’s who tells the more convincing story. And in an age where truth is often buried under competing narratives, winning that battle may be more consequential than anything that happens on the ground.

In this new era of hybrid warfare, each rocket may start a fire—but it’s the narrative that fuels it.

Dr. Sharareh Abdolhosseinzadeh holds a PhD in Political Science and is a Researcher at the Middle East Strategic Studies Center in Iran.