Iranian newspapers from across the political spectrum – reformist, centrist, conservative and hardline – closely tracked the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The papers differed in their coverage based on their ideological leaning. Reformist and centrist outlets covered former Vice President Joe Biden’s projected victory as a major turning point in U.S.-Iran relations. “America’s New Chapter” read a front-page headline in Aftab-e Yazd, a reformist newspaper, on November 8.
Conservative and hardline papers focused instead on President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election and his claims of widespread voter fraud. “Graveyard of Democracy” read a front-page headline in Vatan-e Emrooz, a conservative paper, on November 8. Right-wing papers were more skeptical about improved relations with the United States under a Biden presidency. “U.S. democratic presidents have had the most enmity with Iran,” reported Javan, a hardline newspaper, on November 9.
The newspapers also speculated on the potential makeup of Biden’s potential cabinet. Shargh, a reformist paper, reported on four women in the running for cabinet positions. They included former Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, who negotiated the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, former Undersecretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy and Lael Brainard, member of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors.
Reformist
America's New Chapter
Joe Biden officially became the U.S. president. Trump refused to accept defeat
Outraged President!
With the official announcement of Biden as president-elect,
the White House is waiting for Trump to leave
Joe Biden Elected President of the United States
Rejection of Populism
Biden won with the announcement of votes in Pennsylvania and Nevada.
Biden has promised to restore the United States' relationship with its allies
Why Biden's Cabinet is Important
The U.S. president-elect's possible cabinet, from Susan Rice to Elizabeth Warren
"Team of Rivals" in Biden Administration
First media speculations on the line-up of the next U.S. administration
Centrist
It's Over
The Trump era has come to an end after
four days of election ambiguity and Biden's ultimate victory
The United States Changed its Mask
For the World, the Region and Iran: What's on Biden's Mind?
Biden's Plan for Iran
Biden's editorial on CNN and his vice president's statements
show that Trump's "maximum pressure" will turn into "intelligent pressure."
Conservative and Hardline
Biden Won the U.S. Presidential Elections
Victory Cup in Joe Biden's Hands
Democratic candidate became the 46th U.S. president.
Symbol that maximum pressure against Iran failed
Killer of Qassem Soleimani and Agent of Maximum Pressure Thrown Out
America's Iron Fist Becomes Velvet
Overall, U.S. democratic presidents have had the most enmity with Iran
Photo Credits: All photos from Iran Front Pages (CC By 4.0)
Andrew Hanna, a program specialist at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Ashley Lane, an intern at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, assembled this report.