"News outlets evoked the eight-year Iran-Iraq war that started in 1980, a conflict that is seared into Iran’s collective memory as a period of national unity against foreign aggression."

This quote highlights how state media appeals to the shared historical memory of national unity and resistance against foreign aggression to justify the current conflict and unify the populace.

"Regime supporters flooded the streets, waving Iranian flags in one corner, while missiles and drones launched towards Israel and American bases in the Gulf in another, and rockets fell on Israeli cities in the third frame."

This describes the display of national symbols (Iranian flags) alongside military actions, intended to evoke national pride and identity in support of the regime's actions.

"Bellowed the new supreme leader’s first written statement, reading each line as if delivering a battle cry."

The words 'bellowed' and 'battle cry' are emotionally charged and present the leader's statement as an inspiring, aggressive call to action, framing the communication in a highly charged way.

"State television shows mourning families, flag-draped coffins and burial ceremonies, but the broadcasts frame every death as martyrdom in defence of Iran rather than civilian casualties of war."

The term 'martyrdom' is emotionally charged and redefines civilian casualties of war as noble sacrifices for the nation, elevating their deaths to a spiritual and patriotic cause rather than a tragic loss.

"State broadcasts spoke of the daring capture of US soldiers and airmen, with reports about shooting down a US jet every other day and a drone every other hour."

This describes claims of frequent military successes against the US (shooting down jets and drones every day/hour), which is likely an exaggeration to bolster public confidence and portray Iranian military superiority.

"The broadcasts create an impression of limited, sporadic strikes on civilian targets such as hospitals rather than the comprehensive campaign documented by residents and human rights monitors."

This quote describes the minimisation of the scale and impact of enemy strikes, portraying them as 'limited, sporadic' rather than the 'comprehensive campaign' that is actually occurring, thereby downplaying the severity of the situation.

"Reports refer to general areas hit in Tehran and other cities but provide minimal detail about damage or casualties."

The use of 'general areas' and 'minimal detail' indicates a deliberate vagueness in reporting on damage and casualties, which obscures the true extent of the impact of attacks.

"The main military spokesman providing updates has no name visible on his uniform. He is identified only as “a sacrifice for Iran”."

Presenting a key figure as an anonymous 'sacrifice for Iran' rather than a named individual, uses vagueness to elevate their status to a symbolic, selfless figure, obscuring their personal identity to better serve the narrative.

"With each missile fired towards Israel or American bases, state TV broadcast the same martial music that accompanied strike footage during the war against Iraq. Revolutionary songs from the 1980s play continuously across all channels, interspersed with religious hymns referring to Imam Ali, the first Shia imam, with themes of martyrdom."

This describes the continuous and repeated playing of martial music, revolutionary songs, and religious hymns, which aims to reinforce a persistent message of conflict, patriotism, and religious justification.

"Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, said on Friday: “Mr [US Defence Secretary Pete] Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epstein’s island.”"

Larijani directly attacks the reputation and character of US leaders by associating them with Jeffrey Epstein, implying moral corruption and drawing a contrast with Iranian leaders.

"Regime-linked news outlets have shared imagery, much of which appears to be doctored, portraying the war as a fight against Jeffrey Epstein’s allies."

This describes connecting opponents ('Jeffrey Epstein’s allies') to a figure associated with significant negative connotations (Epstein), thereby attempting to discredit them by association with an immoral entity.

"A van with a screen showing an AI-generated image of US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein standing shoulder-to-shoulder."

This is a visual example of guilt by association; it links political adversaries (Trump, Netanyahu) directly with a notorious convicted sex offender (Epstein) to discredit them by an implied shared moral corruption.

"“The hand of God has been revealed – Khamenei has become young – this battle continues,” another message reads."

This is a concise, catchy phrase intended to convey a powerful, emotionally resonant message about divine intervention and the leader's revitalized role in the ongoing conflict.

"“If anyone comes to the streets at the enemy’s behest, we do not see them as protesters. We see them as enemies and will deal with them as we deal with enemies. All our boys have their hands on the trigger, ready.”"

This quote directly uses threatening language and implies violent consequences for dissent ('deal with them as enemies,' 'hands on the trigger'), invoking fear to dissuade people from protesting.

"Intelligence sources from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened “a blow harder than Jan 9” – referring to the violent response to anti-regime protests two months ago that killed thousands – if any demonstrations happened during the war."

This is an explicit threat of severe violence, directly leveraging fear by referencing a past brutal crackdown to prevent future protests.