Coverage of the conflict between Iran and the US is becoming increasingly distorted – this is how we avoid the smoke and mirrors

Pity the reporters covering the burgeoning crisis between the United States and Iran.

Cover Washington’s hypocrisies, policy contradictions and outright misstatements and you’re hammered online by Iranian exiles and Beltway armchair warriors as an “agent of the mullahs” or part of the “echo chamber” of those who don’t relish seeing more needless suffering in the Middle East.

Detail evidence of Iran’s operations abroad or misdeeds and you’re publicly smeared as a “warmonger” or “neocon” by the western “resistance” academics and activists.