How the Iranian Media Operates

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/80554877/Politic/IAEA_releases_new_report_on_Iran

This is a perfect example of how the Iranian state media operates. Above is a link to a story from the IRNA about the release by the IAEA of a new report on the Iranian nuclear program. The story contends that the Iranians are not working on a weapon and that the international community has no right to levy sanctions against Iran. Bu this story about the IAEA report never actually states any details about the report. What did it actually say?

For that let's go to the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21537206

The IAEA reports states that the Iranians are "installing advanced centrifuge machines for enriching uranium" at their Natanz nuclear plant. A US State Department official remarked:

"The installation of new advanced centrifuges would be a further escalation and a continuing violation of Iran's obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and IAEA board resolutions."

My point isn't to argue the case for or against the Iranian position under international law; rather I want to highlight how the Iranian media obfuscates reality. For example, if you are an Iranian reliant on the state media for information, the IRNA report shouldn't worry you, whereas if you have access to the BBC, one might be a bit more concerned.

Most Iranians probably know enough to read between the lines and to understand that the IRNA's silence was a bad sign. But that, too, tells you something about the nature of the Iranian regime.