US–Israel–Iran Crisis: Focus shifts to economic implications in media reports

…Refrain from tagging it religious war

Since February 28, 2026 when US-Israel and Iran war started, the global media has focused on the human and economic impact which has been huge.

The war which has caused the elimination top Iranian top leadership and several death of Iranians, US citizens and Israelites has concentrated on infrastructure destruction aimed at weakening capabilities of the parties involved in the war.

These destruction is having reverberating effect on the global economy as prices of oil in many nations that depend on Middle East or ship their oil through the Strait of Hormuz has doubled. Iran warns that it will attack ships of enemies passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

For instance, Japan imports upto 80% of its oil use from Middle East. It is said that Asia is the largest importer of oil from Middle East.

Analysts say inflation and supply shortages will hit consumers as economic impact of the conflict widen.

Presently, some countries are relying on reserves and minimal imports from other sources to keep the their economy running.

But, according to the analysts, they noted that the media has stayed back from colouring the fight a religious war. The initial plan of US was a regime change in Iran but due to strong resistance of Iran and the expected impact of a prolonged war on global energy market, the plan of the war appears to have shifted to decimating Iran,weakening the country for future capacity for attacks .

However, the media has kept audience updated on the war, without prejudice of tagging it religious war, says Bolaji Abimbola, the CEO of Integrated Indigo Communications.

Pope Leo recently tasked the global media to show the suffering of war, not amplify ‘propaganda’

As reported by Reuters recently, Pope Leo urged journalists to highlight the suffering caused by war, cautioning against ​news reports that risk sliding into propaganda by ‌glorifying conflicts or serving as “a megaphone” to amplify the voices of those in power..

He also called for an ​immediate ceasefire to ​what he ⁠called the “atrocious violence” of the conflict..

Bolaji Abimbola who recognised the overwhelming dominance of the event in the global media said largely, the media is not taking sides in the middle East crisis.

He commended the adequate coverage of the war but said beyond the coverage, there is the need for the media to assist in shaping the narrative and “push out the facts for people to make informed decision on the mater originating the war”.

He however regretted that the war has affected other other countries globally. “Iran now has a leverage which is the Strait of Hormuz where over 20 percent of global energy imports pass through, blocking it to some ships”. This, he said has caused hardship to some economies.

Bolaji commended the media for being fair in the coverage of the war and enjoined the global media to continue informing and educating the people with facts, making it clear that this is not a religious war. He hopes that the conflict is resolved diplomatically to stop the carnage and infrastructure destruction and save economies from further hardship.