Dehumanizing language between Iran and the U.S. reflects systemic dehumanization patterns in geopolitical conflict
Original framing: “How the words that Iran and America use about each other paved the way for conflict” — The Conversation - Global
The current conflict language echoes historical patterns of dehumanization used in colonial and wartime propaganda. The 1953 Iranian coup and subsequent U.S. interventions laid the groundwork for mutual distrust, yet these historical precedents are rarely acknowledged in mainstream coverage.
The dehumanizing language between Iran and the U.S. is not an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of deeper systemic issues rooted in historical grievances, media narratives, and geopolitical power structures.
Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives offer alternative frameworks that emphasize relationality and shared humanity, while scientific and psychological research underscores the real-world impact of such rhetoric. Marginalized voices and civil society actors have long advocated for peace and dialogue, yet their insights are often excluded from mainstream discourse. By integrating these dimensions into policy and public discourse, it is possible to shift from adversarial narratives to collaborative solutions, paving the way for more sustainable peace.