MAROC PERSPECTIVE

Moroccan media coverage reveals a pragmatic-economic approach to geopolitical tensions, prioritizing analysis of concrete repercussions on global energy markets rather than ideological considerations. The treatment of the Strait of Hormuz perfectly illustrates this priority: Morocco World News emphasizes tangible economic consequences (one-fifth of global oil supplies, impact on the global economy) and extensively quotes Saudi Aramco leaders, revealing a regional perspective shared among Gulf monarchies. This emphasis on concrete economic data (7 million barrels per day, 667,000 displaced) testifies to a factual approach that avoids direct moral judgments.

The tone adopted oscillates between measured alarmism for economic issues and diplomatic neutrality for political stakes. Regarding Iran, the Moroccan media faithfully reproduces American rhetoric without openly contesting it, evoking 'suspicious Iranian ships' and Trump's threats with journalistic distance. Conversely, on the Spanish position, the lexicon becomes more empathetic ('genocide', 'illegal', 'reckless'), suggesting implicit sympathy for European resistance to American pressure, while maintaining a facade of objectivity.

The silences are revealing of Moroccan geopolitical constraints. No direct condemnation of Israel appears, despite the use of the term 'genocide' in the Spanish article. The Iranian position is systematically presented as destabilizing, without historical contextualization of Iranian grievances. Most significantly, no mention is made of Morocco's official position or potential repercussions on Morocco's economy, suggesting an editorial strategy of cautious distancing.

The narrative framing reveals the constraints of modern Moroccan diplomacy. On one hand, the Abraham Accords and normalization with Israel impose critical restraint toward Tel Aviv. On the other, belonging to the Arab world and traditional solidarities require sensitivity to Palestinian suffering. This tension is resolved through a focus on 'neutral' economic aspects and a valorization of independent European positions (Spain) as a proxy for expressing oblique criticism of unconditional alignment with Washington. The protagonists are thus hierarchized: the United States as a dominant but sometimes excessive actor, Iran as a disruptor, and Europe as a model of desirable but inaccessible diplomatic independence for Morocco.

This approach reflects Morocco's complex geopolitical position: a modernizing Arab monarchy, strategic partner of the United States, normalized with Israel, but keen to preserve its ties with Europe and sensitive to Arab public opinion. Media coverage thus becomes an exercise in delicate balance, privileging the technical and economic register as a refuge from impossible political choices.