Prominent Iran Expert Says U.S. News Networks Can Get the Iranian People Wrong

by

Throughout his 50-year tenure spanning both academic and diplomatic fields, Hooshang Amirahmadi has gained extensive insights into the complexities of Iran.

The 78-year-old professor at Rutgers University established the transnational organization known as the American Iranian Council. He also managed the Center for Iranian Research and Analysis. During Iran’s conflict with Iraq, he traveled to try to negotiate a peace agreement. He has written multiple books in both English and Persian, and on three separate occasions – 2005, 2013, and 2017 – he put forth bids for the presidency of Iran. However, the religious leaders declined his nomination, likely due to his American citizenship and his advocacy for democratic ideals.

As a dual citizen holding both American and Iranian passports, I’ve been deeply immersed in the vibrant fabric of the United States. Here, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the director of Rutgers’ Center for Middle Eastern Studies, a role that has granted me a significant public presence. My travels between these two remarkable nations are frequent, and I’ve had the opportunity to share my insights on CNN, Fox, and PBS, among other esteemed platforms.

Amidst the numerous portrayals, some inaccurate, of Iran in the media over the past nine days since the Israel-Iran conflict escalated, it felt appropriate to connect with Amirahmadi, a man frequently tasked with clarifying countries for others. The Hollywood Reporter had a chat with him just before the U.S.’s entry into the Israel-Iran war on Sunday morning, as they launched strikes against Fordow and other significant Iranian nuclear facilities. Here are some highlights of our discussion.

1. To what extent does the depiction of Iran on television, as shown here, reflect a restless populace who are willing to aid those opposing the government, and suggest that many members of Iran’s security forces are secretly working for Mossad, as portrayed in shows like Tehran on Apple TV? How truthful is this portrayal?

2. What is the accuracy of the depiction of Iran on TV, where it appears that a significant portion of the populace is eager to assist those who oppose the regime and many security officials are secretly working for Mossad, as shown in popular shows like Tehran on Apple TV?

3. In what ways does the representation of Iran on television align with reality, showing a population that’s actively resistant to the government and a large number of security forces collaborating with Mossad, as suggested by series like Tehran on Apple TV? How close is this portrayal to truth?

4. To what extent does the media representation of Iran on television, which often shows an agitated populace ready to support anti-government efforts and numerous security officials secretly working for Mossad as in series like Tehran on Apple TV, align with reality? How accurate is this depiction?

5. How closely does the portrayal of Iran on television, where it seems that a large portion of the populace is actively resisting the government and many security officials are secretly working for Mossad as depicted in shows like Tehran on Apple TV, mirror reality? Is this representation accurate?

Indeed, there’s a significant number of Jewish individuals with ties to Iran. Approximately 90,000 to 100,000 Jews reside in Iran currently, but it’s possible that the actual number is higher due to those who converted after the revolution while maintaining their Jewish identity. Even some members within the regime might identify as Jewish at heart. Therefore, it’s plausible that many Iranians could be receptive to activities opposing the regime, which aligns with the portrayal in these shows.

And they’re not worried about being seen as supporting the enemy.

Many Iranians harbor positive sentiments towards Israel, yet the regime does not share this sentiment. The people, however, may not have any particular issues. In some cases, they even take pride in Iranians who have achieved success there, such as Shaul Mofaz, a Tehrani-born Israeli military hero and former Minister of Defense, who is admired by many, including Muslims. This demonstrates that an Iranian holds a prominent position within a foreign government, which may seem surprising but is stronger than one might expect.

And has that remained consistently true even through recent history?

Regrettably, no. Over the past decade or so, the situation has deteriorated rather than improved. Israel’s increased targeting of high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists seems to have significantly altered perspectives for some Iranians. However, it’s important to note that this shift is not universal; I would estimate it remains roughly 50-50 in terms of pro-Israel sentiment. Previously, the pro-Israel stance was much more widespread among Iranians.

Even those Iranians who dislike the current regime find these attacks distressing. They view the nuclear scientists not as instruments of the regime they oppose but as individuals with their own identities.

In contrast to some other nations, Israeli nuclear scientists are integrated into society as professors within their local communities. This integration is one of the reasons why acts of violence against them have had such a profound and detrimental impact on Israel-Iran relations.

Where do you think the current conflict will leave those relations?

Regrettably, this situation may fuel hostility initially, given the extensive damage to essential infrastructure like hospitals, roads, and bridges on both sides. However, my hope is for a transformation – wars sometimes bring people closer together, enabling them to comprehend each other better and recognize their shared humanity. Historically, humans have utilized war in this manner; so why not here?

Discussing postwar Germany and the United States as illustrative cases, let’s move on to American media outlets such as CNN. Do you believe that their news coverage accurately represents the sentiments typically held by Iranian citizens?

Unfortunately, the image of Iran that’s often conveyed to Americans is one-dimensional, painting it as a state filled solely with terrorists. However, the reality is more akin to how Iranian television portrays Israel – labeling every individual as a terrorist. Sadly, this stereotype doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. I have dedicated over 40 years of my career to U.S.-Iran relations, and the prejudice towards Iranians among Americans persists due to these misconceptions.

While it’s not entirely the networks’ fault, they do face challenges in presenting a broader perspective, don’t they? One of the main difficulties lies in obtaining news reports and having reporters present in Iran.

It’s clear that this presents quite a hurdle. Another significant issue is the scarcity of Iran experts in American universities. While there used to be many, the number has dwindled significantly, leaving us with fewer. The ones we have often possess excellent skills, but their perspectives are primarily American. What we truly require is an increase in the number of specialists who offer diverse viewpoints beyond the American lens.

After seeing numerous anti-regime films from Iran, such as “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” which portrays a younger generation defying the government, and was inspired by the Women, Life, Freedom protests of 2022. The same protests motivated director Mohammad Rasoulof to create the film. Jafar Panahi, another prominent Iranian dissident filmmaker, recently won the Palme d’Or for his subtly political film “It Was Just an Accident.” These films express dissatisfaction with the regime and support for democracy; how accurately do they reflect the sentiments of the population?

A lesser-known fact is that Iran was once strongly aligned with the United States in the Middle East, prior to its revolution. One might wonder why this changed over time. Older generations, those aged 50 or above, tend to remember these circumstances more vividly. They could help educate younger generations about this historical context.

You don’t think even the older people have been influenced by the regime and its propaganda?

Indeed, it appears that the common people in Iran are generally supportive of America, contrary to their government. If you’re looking for anti-American sentiment, I would suggest visiting the streets of Saudi Arabia instead. It’s important to note that 35% of the population there lives below the poverty line. In contrast, the royal family or wealthy elite in Saudi Arabia are not pro-American; in fact, they might be on their way to creating one of the most anti-American nations in the region within the next decade. You may find that the average Iranian is 10 times more supportive of America than the average Saudi. Many Iranians, despite identifying as Muslim, are secular and can lean towards socialism or capitalism, much like Americans. The Iranian economy operates under a capitalist system, but we often overlook this due to our focus on politics and governments.

It’s quite noticeable when discussing Iran and Israel that, despite their enmity, they are both exceptions among the larger non-Arab nations in the Middle East. This fact often seems to be overlooked, especially when other Muslim countries in the region are emphasized as stronger American allies.

In Iran, the government tends to be hostile towards America, while the general public often supports America. On the other hand, this relationship is reversed in Saudi Arabia. Regardless, it’s crucial to prioritize the opinions of the people (the street) because they remain consistent, while governments and palaces may change over time.

These are not nuances that necessarily come through on American television news coverage.

It’s clear that Ted Cruz told Tucker Carlson he wasn’t aware of Iran’s population, and it seems to me that many Americans recognize these disparities. However, the way our political leaders appear on TV doesn’t exactly fill me with optimism.

Considering wars often don’t foster positive images, how can we promote the most authentic understanding of the Iranian people among Americans, in your opinion?

It’s essential to portray everyday life of Iranian citizens instead of merely focusing on the government in media reports. Perhaps, a Hollywood production could create a series or movie with Iranian protagonists living in Iran. This would provide a more comprehensive perspective.

Read More

2025-06-22 07:25