However, outlets in the Gulf were more grounded in reality and openly expressed surprise at Israel's unprecedented military capabilities. As one Gulf source noted, “Iranian leadership failed to learn lessons from Israeli operations against Hezbollah.”

Much of the Arab press initially claimed Iran held the upper hand and suggested that Israel couldn’t have launched its attack without U.S. support. But the facts on the ground contradicted that line, forcing even some anti-Israel commentators to acknowledge Israel’s achievements.

Pro-Iranian outlets, like Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen, portrayed Israel as an aggressor that failed in its goals, while praising Iran for defending its sovereignty. One article even stated that Israeli military exhaustion forced its leaders to seek a ceasefire. Al-Mayadeen also quoted unnamed “Israeli sources” casting doubt on whether Iran’s nuclear facilities had truly been destroyed.

Lebanon’s Al-Manar claimed that only Iran, not Netanyahu or Trump, would determine how the war ends. Following the ceasefire announcement, pro-Iranian media widely covered celebrations in Tehran, showing thousands in the streets waving flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In contrast, Gulf-based and pro-Western outlets painted a different picture. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya declared: “Israeli government: we achieved a major victory over Iran.” The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat listed Israel’s successes, highlighting its surprise attack, precision strikes, and a wave of assassinations against senior commanders and scientists. The article emphasized that Iran had seemingly learned nothing from previous Israeli operations against Hezbollah.

Sky News Arabia quoted former Syrian officer and analyst Turki Al-Hassan, who stated that Israeli threats were not mere psychological tactics but part of a sustained campaign. He praised Israel’s intelligence dominance and precision strikes.

Even in Egypt, experts acknowledged Israel’s edge. Dr. Gamal Abdel Gawad of the Al-Ahram Center said Israel’s strength lay in its intelligence-gathering and analysis.

Despite Iran’s propaganda push, the gap between its claims and reality became clear. While Tehran celebrated, Gulf media emphasized Israeli initiative, precision, and dominance. In the end, even Israel’s critics had to admit: the regional power had been outplayed.