Representation of the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the Fourteenth Administration on Social Media Platforms X and Eitaa

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Seyyed Rahim Abolhasani
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran (Corresponding Author)
10.22034/jcsc.2025.2070823.2857
Abstract
This study analyzes the representation of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the fourteenth administration on the social media platforms X and Eitaa. The theoretical framework is grounded in the approach of political mediatization, which emphasizes the decisive role of media in shaping and transmitting political messages. The research employed a qualitative methodology based on thematic analysis, with data organized and analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. The findings indicate that on Platform X, themes such as “missed opportunities in foreign policy,” “lack of a clear strategy,” “overreliance on the East,” and “linking foreign policy to citizens’ livelihoods” were emphasized. In contrast, content analysis of Eitaa revealed a stronger focus on reproducing official narratives, with dominant themes including “orientation toward the East,” “resistance against the West,” “resilient economic diplomacy,” and “strengthening the axis of resistance.” The comparison of these two spaces demonstrates a significant gap between global and domestic representations of the fourteenth administration’s foreign policy. The results confirm that media not only reflect but also construct foreign policy, and neglecting media logics can lead to missed opportunities in diplomacy.

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