MOROCCO PERSPECTIVE

Moroccan media coverage reveals a pragmatic-economic approach to geopolitical tensions, prioritising analysis of concrete impacts on global energy markets over ideological considerations. Coverage of the Strait of Hormuz exemplifies this priority perfectly: Morocco World News emphasises tangible economic consequences (one-fifth of global petroleum supplies, impact on the global economy) and extensively cites Saudi Aramco leadership, revealing a regional perspective shared among Gulf monarchies. This emphasis on concrete economic data (7 million barrels daily, 667,000 displaced) reflects a factual approach that avoids direct moral judgements.

The tone adopted oscillates between measured alarm regarding economic questions and diplomatic neutrality on political stakes. Concerning Iran, Moroccan media faithfully reproduces American rhetoric without openly contesting it, evoking 'suspect Iranian vessels' and Trump's threats with journalistic distance. Conversely, on the Spanish position, the language becomes more empathetic ('genocide', 'illegal', 'reckless'), suggesting implicit sympathy for European resistance to American pressure, whilst maintaining a façade of objectivity.

Silences reveal Morocco's geopolitical constraints. No direct condemnation of Israel appears, despite the Spanish article's use of the term 'genocide'. The Iranian position is systematically presented as destabilising, without historical contextualisation of Iranian grievances. More significantly, no mention is made of Morocco's official position or potential repercussions on Morocco's own economy, suggesting a strategy of prudent editorial distancing.

The narrative framing reveals the constraints of modern Moroccan diplomacy. On one hand, the Abraham Accords and normalisation with Israel impose restraint in criticism of Tel Aviv. On the other, membership in the Arab world and traditional solidarities demand sensitivity to Palestinian suffering. This tension resolves through focus on 'neutral' economic aspects and valorisation of independent European positions (Spain) as proxies for expressing oblique criticism of unconditional alignment with Washington. Protagonists are thus hierarchised: the United States as dominant but sometimes excessive actor, Iran as disruptor, and Europe as a model of desirable but inaccessible diplomatic independence for Morocco.

This approach reflects Morocco's complex geopolitical position: a modernising Arab monarchy, strategic partner of the United States, normalised with Israel, yet concerned with preserving ties to Europe and sensitive to Arab public opinion. Media coverage thus becomes an exercise in delicate balance, privileging technical and economic registers as refuge from impossible political choices.