The Iran–Israel war in international news media: A comparative analysis of news frames

This study comparatively examines how the Iran-Israel war is framed in the international news media. It aims to identify similarities and differences in the ways CNN, TRT World, Al Jazeera, and Russia Today (RT) construct the conflict through their thematic priorities, actor representations, source use, linguistic emphases, and political-discursive orientation. The research covers 160 news reports published between February 28 and April 28, 2026, with 40 reports selected from each news organization. The reports were analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal distinct framing patterns across the four outlets. CNN primarily emphasizes regional security, U.S. decision-making processes, and energy markets, whereas TRT World highlights criticism of Israel, anti-war rhetoric, and regional stability. Al Jazeera gives greater prominence to Gulf security, civilian impacts, and debates on law and legitimacy. RT, by contrast, foregrounds U.S.-Israeli interventionism, criticism of the West, and Iran’s sovereignty discourse. Overall, the findings show that the same conflict is presented through different framing priorities and political-discursive orientations, producing distinct interpretations of the war across international news organizations.