[IranAlert] Parachute Journalism Fails Iranians Again

This is the NUFDI IranAlert—concise, timely analysis offering unique insights into breaking news and major developments inside Iran. Each short brief provides a fresh angle, highlighting trends, reactions, and overlooked internal dynamics shaping Iran and the Islamic Republic.

NBC News last week dispatched its chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel to Tehran. His arrival in Tehran was cheered on by the usual suspects - people who live in Western capitals and never miss an opportunity to encourage any global engagement with the Islamic Republic - at the cost of sacrificing journalistic integrity.

So far, in addition to some TV reporting, Engel has posted a video report and an NBC podcast from Tehran.

Conflating the Iranian People With the Regime

Despite years of awareness campaigns and statements from U.S. officials across the political spectrum acknowledging the stark contrast between how the Iranian people view America and how the Islamic Republic views it, as well as Iranians regularly chanting against the regime and in support of America, Engel insisted on conflating the people with the regime that has killed over 2,000 unarmed and peaceful protesters since 2019 and arrested hundreds more.

Engel first portrays himself as trying to remedy nonexistent misconceptions in the West about the Iranian people who, as he rightly points out, are very pro-Western.

Almost without exception, Western politicians and policymakers commenting on the nuclear talks have made a clear distinction between the two (see comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio).

However, when it comes to nuclear talks, Engel does not distinguish between the people oppressed by the regime and state officials. He mixes comments and quotes from average people with official statements.

Made-Up Scenarios

Engel also displays a lack of understanding and knowledge about the main point of his reporting; nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

In a dramatic tone, he frames the responses from Iranian people and regime officials (conflating the two again) as not wanting to “see Tehran bombed.”

In the most “hawkish” proposals made about the correct course of action against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, no one has ever seriously proposed indiscriminately “bombing Tehran.”

In contrast, what actually has been proposed are targeted strikes against nuclear facilities, none of which are even in Tehran Province, and most of which are located in isolated areas under military control.

Speaking of the motives of the Islamic Republic for engaging in the talks Engel says, “Is this all a game? I don't know.”

However, while sounding jubilant, he argues that a deal can herald “peace, prosperity, and a new page for Iran.”

The people of Iran, who have dedicated their lives to understanding the Islamic Republic’s tactics and malign behavior—who have risked life and liberty in the process—could have informed him on the topic. However, he has clearly not even tried to find answers to these questions, prioritizing vibes over reality.

Misinterpreting Iranian Hospitality

Engel also published a video report showing him walking through Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. During his monologue he is waved at by a shopkeeper, followed by a brief conversation:

- “Hello. Hi. Where are you from?”

- “I'm from the US.”

- “Oh my god. America?”

- “Yes, American.”

- “Of course.”

The back and forth ends there and Engel returns to his monologue saying, “This is the reception we have been getting every single place that we go... they say welcome.”

Then he goes on to interpret “welcome” as the Iranian people “hoping that this is a sign that things are improving. That the relations between Iran and the United States and Iran and the rest of the world could be turning a new page.”

Iranians are world famous for their hospitality. Leaping from that experience to making assumptions about their stance on the nuclear talks is sloppy journalism and just short of propaganda for the regime.

Free PR for the President

Much more can be said about Engel’s poor reporting from Tehran but the last nugget we will point out is his doing free PR for Islamic Republic President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Engel says, “The government here is one of the most open-minded and flexible at the president [ sic ] that they’ve had in many years.”

He is not alone in making such grand claims about Pezeshkian. Others have marketed him as a “ liberalizer ” that can “ forge a more moderate Islamist regime .”

Yet Pezeshkian won the “election” by introducing himself as being devoutly faithful to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and, since he has taken office, shown pride in leading a violent crackdown on women who refuse to wear the mandatory hijab.