The Impact of US Mainstream Mass Media on American Foreign Policy toward Iran (2007-2020)

US mainstream mass media, as a fourth pillar of democracy, have a significant impact on American foreign policy. Nevertheless, the role of US media is not limited to domestic politics rather they would usually shape US foreign policy. Since the Islamic revolution, US media have covered Iran’s events. The US mainstream mass media, as a domestic source of US foreign policy, have had a huge impact on perceptions and misperceptions of American elites and US public opinion. Therefore, the main question of the research is: what is the impact of US mainstream media on American foreign policy toward Iran (2007-2020)? The research method of the article is a qualitative case study research method and its purpose is to study how Iran is represented in the American media. In order to answer the main question, the authors would use neo-classical theory. The hypothesis of research suggest that on the one hand, US mainstream mass media have influenced US elites’ perception about Iran and on the other, US mass media have covered negative opinion of US elites about Iran. In fact, the influence of the US media on the American political elite have continued to negatively portray Iran over the past two decades.