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 delivers combative UN speech threatening Iran Sep 22 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
US-Iran nuclear talks described as productive at UN Sep 23 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Houthis seize island; Senate rejects Iran strike block Sep 24 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Iran proposes seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz Sep 25 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 4 |
Trump rejects Iran's Hormuz reopening proposal Sep 26 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | — |
US-Iran nuclear talks stall; oil prices surge above $108 Sep 28 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
Revolutionary Guards reject Trump's endgame claims Sep 29 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Two Iranians charged in UK terror plot targeting Jews Oct 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
US evacuates B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford base Oct 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Trump suggests Iran could attack LA or San Diego Oct 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — |
Trump rules out Iran strikes before midterms Oct 8 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
Pentagon confirms 21 US troops killed in Iran war Oct 10 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — |
Iran attacks Saudi Aramco; sinks ships in Hormuz Oct 14 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — |
Trump claims Iran war will end soon Oct 15 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Democrats weigh forcing vote to end Iran war Oct 17 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — |
Iran admits nuclear weapons are necessity Oct 19 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
US strikes Iranian island Qeshm ahead of midterms Nov 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Iran says Americans voted against war in midterms Nov 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Trump signals Iran war 'effectively over'; Iran warns retaliation Nov 8 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Trump signals Iran war effectively over after Qatar meeting Nov 9 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 |