On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, targeting military facilities and regime leaders, triggering a massive missile and drone counterattack and sparking a new regional conflict. In light of these events, the question becomes crucial: Is this war the result of a real threat, or the culmination of decades of misunderstandings, strategic rivalries, and political narratives? Drawing on official documents, intelligence reports, and largely unknown events, this book dismantles the dominant narratives that shape our perception of Iran. From the translation error that led to the belief that Tehran wanted to “wipe Israel off the map,” to the nuclear issue, accusations of terrorism, the attacks in Lebanon, the tanker war, and the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, the author examines a series of cases where disinformation, oversimplifications, and manipulation have often replaced analysis.Why is Iran, which has not attacked any country in over two centuries, portrayed as the primary threat in the Middle East? How have certain Western decisions contributed to strengthening Tehran’s influence in the region? And to what extent do current tensions stem from misperceptions rather than strategic realities?Contrary to conventional wisdom, this book offers a rigorous and well-documented analysis of a narrative conflict in which information has become a weapon. Understanding Iran also means understanding how the geopolitical “truths” of our time are constructed. Jacques Baud is a former member of Swiss strategic intelligence, a specialist in Eastern European countries, and the head of United Nations peacekeeping doctrine. He participated in discussions with top Russian military and intelligence officials immediately following the collapse of the USSR. Within NATO, he participated in programs in Ukraine, particularly following the Maidan Revolution between 2014 and 2017. He is the author of several books on intelligence, war, and terrorism, including "Putin: Master of the Game?", "Operation Z", "Ukraine between war and peace", "The Russian art of War", "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood", and "Governing by Fake News", published by Max Milo.
