The modern world demonstrates how traditional methods of warfare are transforming, giving priority to information strategies that can decide the outcome of conflicts before the first shells are fired. The night’s events between Iran and Israel illustrate this trend in full.
Although, of course, the final is still far away. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to make a certain analysis today, including in order to predict further developments.
We see several components that are worth paying attention to.
Preparing for conflict: the escalation phase
Iran clearly demonstrates a typical example of using information weapons to prepare the international community for its actions. Abandoning attempts to gain advantages through diplomacy or threats, Iran is actively deploying a strategy of escalating tensions. At the same time, this escalation in the information space is obviously controlled and carefully organized.
Although the effect of surprise provides tangible benefits for an effective missile strike, as well as for almost any military action, and unpreparedness to repel an attack enhances the result, in this case the day and even the hours of the attack were known in advance. For example, Hamas’s attack on Israel in the fall would definitely not have been successful if it had been known about at least a day in advance.
The attack and its information dissemination
Although the attack was limited in its military ambitions, it received wide media coverage.
Despite the fact that Iran’s strike was not very large-scale, it was presented as an unprecedented response to Israel’s hostile actions.
This maneuver allowed them to maximize the visual and psychological effect of their actions, creating the impression of a powerful blow. Numerous publications of drone flights in various territories before the first strikes were used for this purpose, as well as footage of Iranian supporters “celebrating” in the first hours after the strike prevented viewers from interpreting the events as anything other than a complete success for the ayatollahs’ regime.
Media component
As we can see, Iran has used all available tools to shape international opinion. From creating fake news about the “destruction of air defense systems” to videos that have nothing to do with the conflict. Every element of the media campaign was aimed at strengthening the image of Iran as a strong player ready to defend its interests.
Impact on the domestic population and international audience
Iran pays special attention to the need to justify its actions to its own population and the international community. The emphasis on defense against external threats and Iran’s role as a leader in the Islamic world helps to strengthen domestic support and increase its influence on international relations.
Afterword:
The analysis of this incident allows us to once again evaluate important insights into the role of information warfare in modern international conflicts. Understanding these mechanisms makes it possible to better prepare for the future and improve methods of countering such strategies.
We talk more about this in our webinars, as well as in the publication “Reflexive Control in Information Special Operations during the Russian-Ukrainian War”. You can download the first part here. this message.
