A live tracker of how left-leaning, center, and right-leaning outlets are covering the 2026 Iran conflict — with framing analysis, source counts, and narrative shifts over time.
How the story evolved across the political spectrum
How left and right told the story each week
Which events got coverage from which side — and which were ignored
| Event | Left | Ctr-Left | Center | Ctr-Right | Right |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trump declares economic war on Iran Aug 20 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
Pentagon reports 750+ US service members wounded Aug 21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Treasury announces sweeping Iran sanctions campaign Aug 24 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 2 |
US pauses strikes, shifts to economic sanctions Aug 25 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 7 | — |
Iran sets Hormuz conditions; diplomacy intensifies Aug 27 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
US Navy blockade slashes Iran oil exports Aug 28 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — |
US resumes strikes; oil prices surge to $90 Aug 31 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 4 |
US launches new Strait of Hormuz strikes Sep 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | — |
Trump raises regime change as midterms near Sep 2 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 6 |
Oil surges above $100 amid escalating conflict Sep 9 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 3 |
Iran strikes US base in Bahrain Sep 10 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
Iran joins BRICS summit without US Sep 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — |
Saudi Arabia shuts critical pipeline amid tensions Sep 14 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
CBO: Iran war costs $246 million daily Sep 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — |
UN says US may have committed war crimes Sep 18Blindspot | 3 | 9 | 1 | — | — |
Trump delivers combative UN speech on Iran Sep 22 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
Iran proposes 7-day Hormuz reopening plan Sep 25 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 4 |
Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal Sep 26 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | — |
US-Iran nuclear talks stall; oil surges past $108 Sep 28 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
Two Iranians charged in UK terror plot Oct 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
US evacuates B-1 bombers from UK RAF base Oct 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Trump rules out Iran strike before midterms Oct 8 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 1 |