How Verbs & Adjectives Frame the Israel-Iran Conflict

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."  - Rudyard Kipling

The choice of language plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of conflict, subtly favoring one party over another without the reader ever realizing it.

Below is a list of the most common rhetorical techniques.

Active vs. Passive Voice

Headlines such as “Israel Strikes Iran” use active voice, portraying Israel as decisive and in control, implying precision and legitimacy. 

Conversely, “Israel Hit by Iranian Missiles” employs passive construction, distancing Iran from agency and framing its actions as reactive or chaotic. 

The active voice for Israel suggests strength and intent, while the passive voice for Iran can imply aggression without clear responsibility, subtly diminishing its legitimacy. 

Adjective Bias

Who controls the vocabulary controls the conversation  - Anonymous

Adjectives further skew perception. Israel's actions are described with terms like “precise,” “targeted,” or “defensive,” suggesting restraint and moral clarity. For example, a CNN report might describe an Israeli operation as a “strategic strike on Iranian military targets.” 

In contrast, Iran's actions are labeled with adjectives like “provocative,” “hostile,” or “retaliatory.” These descriptors paint Iran as reckless or vengeful, while Israel appears calculated and justified. 

Word choices tap into cultural biases, aligning Israel with Western values of order, and Iran framed in the perceived instability of the East.

Context Counts

“Political language… is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable.” - George Orwell

Reports emphasize Israel's strikes as responses to “Iranian aggression” or “proxy threats” from groups like Hezbollah, providing context that justifies Israel's actions. A BBC headline might read, “Israel Targets Iran After Missile Threats,” implying a defensive necessity. 

Iran's actions are often decontextualized, with less mention of prior Israeli operations or regional dynamics, as in “Iran Launches Attacks on Israel.” This selective framing obscures Iran's motivations, making its actions seem unprovoked.

Political Subtext

“Give a dog a bad name and hang him.”  — Proverb

Western outlets, aligned with U.S. and Israeli interests, often portray Israel as a democratic ally under threat, using language that evokes sympathy. 

Iran, labeled a “rogue state,” faces harsher descriptors that align with its adversarial status. Posts on X have noted this disparity, with some users arguing that Israel's actions are framed to “make Iran look like the villain,” even when both sides engage in similar military tactics.

Labeling 

“Only Democracy in the Middle East” 

Western media regularly labels Israel as “the only democracy in the Middle East,” a common media trope that emphasizes Israel's democratic governance to contrast it with regional adversaries like Iran. 

Yet, the same news outlets print headlines of elections in other Middle Eastern countries.

“Rogue State”

Western politicians frequently call Iran a “rogue state”, framing Iran as a destabilizing force in the Middle East. This reflects a historical Western narrative of Iran, and many other eastern nations, as a threat to global order. Propaganda that the West is “civilized” and the East is chaotic and barbaric, dates back to Roman times.

Different Verbs and Adjectives for the Same Action

Below are the most common verbs and adjectives used in the Western media over the previous decade to describe similar actions taken by Israel, vs those conducted by Iran.

Conduct an Airstrike

• “Strike, Execute, Target” vs “Bombard, Unleash, Launch”
• “Targeted, Defensive, Precise” vs “Hostile, Aggressive, Provocative”

Respond to an Attack

• “Retaliate, Defend, Counter” vs “Retaliate, Escalate, Strike”
• “Measured, Restrained, Justified” vs “Reckless, Retaliatory, Destabilizing”

Develop Military Capabilities

• “Develop, Enhance, Fortify” vs “Pursue, Build, Stockpile”
• “Advanced, Innovative, Necessary” vs “Dangerous, Illicit, Threatening”

Engage in Regional Influence

• “Secure, Influence, Stabilize” vs “Interfere, Meddle, Expand”
• “Democratic, Allied, Resilient” vs “Rogue, Subversive, Menacing”

June 2025 Conflict

CNN's coverage of Israel and Iran's strikes this week demonstrates all of the techniques described above. Can you spot them? 

Final Thoughts 

The use of active voice, favorable adjectives, and selective context in news creates a narrative. While subtle, linguistic choices shape public opinion in the Israel-Iran conflict.