The Telegraph · March 2026

• frames Iran as a threat or adversary (submarines, mines, war scenarios)
• reports on internal regime fragility and repression
• uses distancing or negative framing for Iranian leadership (repressive regime, paranoid)
• includes some sympathetic coverage of Iranian civilians and dissent

The outlet's stance toward Iran as a country is predominantly critical, focusing on military threats and regime repression, but it also reports on civilian suffering and internal dissent without delegitimizing the entire nation. Headline 18 explicitly calls the regime 'repressive and paranoid,' while headline 13 describes Tehran as an 'apocalypse,' indicating a negative stance toward the regime rather than the people. However, the coverage is not uniformly hostile; some headlines (e.g., 5, 14) report on civilian casualties with implied sympathy, and headline 20 notes Iran's unifying effect on British Muslims, which is a more neutral observation. Overall, the stance is skeptical/critical (-1) rather than outright hostile (-2) because the outlet does not consistently use delegitimizing language for the entire country and includes some balanced reporting.

• portrays Trump as reckless or losing control
• uses negative framing like 'miscalculations', 'broken rules', 'lost control'
• highlights criticism from allies and domestic opponents
• questions Trump's strategy and competence

Headline 16 offers a rare positive framing ('He's already won'), but the overwhelming majority are critical or skeptical. The outlet's own voice is consistently negative toward Trump, even when quoting his actions or statements.

• personal attacks and mockery (gaffe, puppet, half-witted bleating)
• framing Starmer as weak and incompetent (surrender, cowardice, puppet)
• associating Starmer with national decline and stupidity
• quoting external critics (Trump, Chamberlain's grandson) to undermine him

The outlet consistently uses evaluative language and quotes critics to frame Starmer negatively; even when reporting his actions (e.g., ultimatum to doctors), the framing is critical. No positive or neutral coverage found.

• Amplifies Trump's policy actions and statements as authoritative
• Frames US military actions as effective or justified
• Includes critical headlines but often as minority or oppositional voices
• Uses positive or neutral framing for US initiatives

Several headlines are critical of Trump specifically (e.g., #14, #23), but the overall bundle treats the US as a powerful actor whose actions are reported with authority; the entity is 'US' not 'Trump', so criticism of Trump does not necessarily indicate negative stance toward the US as a country. The outlet's own editorial voice in #16 and #17 is strongly supportive of US military action.

• mocking or belittling nicknames ('Vlad the inhaler')
• framing Putin as manipulative or conspiratorial ('secret propaganda campaign', 'hidden hand')
• highlighting Putin's vulnerabilities or failures ('coughing fit', 'world disintegrating', 'plan to make billions killed')
• attributing negative consequences to Putin's actions ('fuelling war machine', 'helps Iran attack the US')

Some headlines report Putin's actions neutrally or as winning (e.g., 3, 10, 18), but the overall framing is consistently skeptical or critical, with mocking language and emphasis on negative outcomes. The outlet does not treat Putin as a credible spokesperson; it uses distancing and evaluative vocabulary.

• reports on UK government actions and policies without consistent evaluative framing
• occasional critical headlines about UK leadership (e.g., Starmer, Miliband)
• includes positive or neutral references to UK entities (e.g., Coast Path, property sector boost)
• some headlines quote external criticism of UK (e.g., Trump, UN) without outlet endorsement

The entity is GB (country), not a single person or institution. Coverage spans government, culture, and international relations. Stance is neutral overall because the outlet does not consistently praise or condemn the country as a whole; critical headlines target specific leaders or policies, not the nation itself. Headline 1 uses 'us' to align with Britain but is ambiguous. Headline 14 reports a policy stance neutrally. Headline 15 is positive about a national achievement. Confidence is low due to mixed signals and broad entity definition.

• portrays Putin as a threat or villain (e.g., 'trembling in his boots', 'hidden hand', 'diabolical genius')
• frames Putin as losing or failing (e.g., 'world is disintegrating', 'not winning', 'facing another war')
• uses derogatory or mocking language (e.g., 'Vlad the inhaler', 'imperial fantasies')
• highlights negative consequences of Putin's actions (e.g., 'turns off internet', 'propaganda campaign')

Headline 15 quotes a politician expressing willingness to build a relationship with Putin, but this is a quote from a third party, not the outlet's own stance. Overall, the outlet's own vocabulary and framing are overwhelmingly negative toward Putin.