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Can Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Be Trusted? Bias Analysis, Ownership, and Fact-Checking

3 min read
Last Updated: January 2026

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Overview and Political Bias

Critics describe IRNA as a government mouthpiece, alleging it prioritizes state propaganda over objective reporting. It is reported to promote the Iranian government's official stances on foreign policy and internal dissent. Observers claim its coverage often suppresses opposition voices while presenting state-sanctioned narratives as definitive truths.

Standpoint Assessment
Overall political leaning Right
Estimated number of readers 5,000,000
Israel support Pro-Palestine / Strongly Anti-Israel
Use of loaded / emotional language High
Target Audience Partisan / International Observers

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) History

Founded in 1934 as the Pars News Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it served as Iran's first official news provider. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it was renamed the Islamic Republic News Agency. It has since expanded into a multi-language network with numerous international bureaus.

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Who owns Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)?

IRNA is a state-owned enterprise, controlled and funded by the Iranian government. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Its budget is allocated by the national parliament, ensuring its editorial direction aligns strictly with the executive branch and supreme leadership.

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