Introduction
Among other manifestations, tensions between the Gulf states and Iran were reflected through cartoons. The Gulf, and especially Saudi, press, including its London-based newspapers, published numerous cartoons condemning Iran and depicting it as interfering in Middle East affairs, spreading internal strife, and planting espionage networks. Iran was also portrayed as a hypocrite voicing support for the revolutions in the Arab world while oppressing protest at home.[1] The Iranian press, for its part, published cartoons condemning Saudi Arabia for interfering in Bahrain and depicting Saudi Arabia as spreading internal strife and operating under the patronage of the U.S.
Anti-Iranian Cartoons in Gulf Press
Iran Interferes in Middle East Affairs
"Iran" Breaks Pool Balls of "Middle East" with Bomb
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), April 6, 2011
"Iran," in U.S. Sights, Holds "Middle East" Hostage
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), March 18, 2011
Iran Spreads Internal and Sectarian Strife
Iran Shells the "Arab Region" with "Sectarianism"
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), March 16, 2011
Iran Plays with Rubik's Cube of "Sectarianism"
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), April 20, 2011.
Iran Balances "Internal Strife" on Its Head
Al-Jazira (Saudi Arabia), April 4, 2011
Iran Rouses Satan of "Internal Strife" from Slumber
Al-Madina (Saudi Arabia), April 20, 2011
Iran's Hypocrisy vis-à-vis Gulf States
Iran's "Espionage": Extending the Hand of Peace with a Spy up Its Sleeve
Al-Sharq (Qatar), April 4, 2011
Iran Sticks Its Nose in Bahrain while Condemning Gulf States for Interfering There
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), March 22, 2011
Iran Looks Like an Angel but Is Actually the Angel of Death
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), April 4, 2011
Iran Calls for Peace while Pouring Gas on the Flames of Conflict
Al-Jazira (Saudi Arabia), April 1, 2011
Iran Encourages Revolutions in Arab World while Suppressing Its Own People
Ahmadinejad Encourages "Freedom" in "Arab World" while Holding His Own People Prisoner
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), March 2, 2011
Ahmadinejad Says "No to Suppression of Peaceful Protests" while Stepping on the Corpse of "Tehran"
'Okaz (Saudi Arabia), March 18, 2011
Anti-Saudi Cartoons in Iranian Press
Saudi Arabia Spills Blood in Bahrain
Saudi Arabia Wields Sword over Bahrain
Fars (Iran), May 12, 2011
"Sa'ud Family and Gulf Cooperation Council" Spill Bahrainis' Blood, Tell "Iran": "Don't Interfere"
Fars (Iran), April 10, 2011
Saudi Mosquito Sucks Blood from Bahraini Flag
Fars (Iran), April 7, 2011
"Saudi Army" Massacres Bahrainis Holding Signs Reading: "Here I am, Hussein"[2]
Fars (Iran), April 7, 2011
Saudi Arabia – A Mercenary for the U.S.
Saudi King Rules with U.S. Force
Fars (Iran), April 10, 2011
Saudi Soldiers in "U.S. Army" Uniform Make Haste to "Bahrain"
Fars (Iran), March 21, 2011
Cartoons Condemning Wahhabism
"Wahhabism Is the Dark Part of Islam['s] World"
Javan (Iran), January 10, 2011
"Wahhabism" Splits "Sunnis" and "Shi'ites" Apart
Fars (Iran), April 13, 2011
*M. Shamni and Y. Mansharof are research fellows at MEMRI.
Endnotes:
[1] On the media clashes between Iran and the Gulf states, see MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis Series Report No.678, "The Bahrain Situation: Media Clashes between the Iranian-Shi'ite Camp and the Saudi-Sunni Camp," March 18, 2011, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/70/5104.htm.
[2] The slogan "Here I Am, Hussein" expresses a willingness to sacrifice one's life and refers to Hussein ibn 'Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Shi'ite imam, who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680.
