Confidential State Department cables obtained by Politico reveal a US diplomatic corps under strain — its embassies watching America’s reputation deteriorate in real time while being restricted from responding publicly. The cables, dated Wednesday, describe the Iran war’s fallout in Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, three strategically important countries where pro-Iranian influence operations are outpacing Washington’s ability to respond.
Hands tied online
A central thread running through all three cables is the frustration of diplomats who cannot fight back. US embassies have been instructed not to produce original content about the Iran war and are largely restricted to reposting pre-approved messaging from the White House or State Department. Iran, meanwhile, is operating without such constraints — deploying bots, memes, Morse- coded posts and ambassador-level outreach to build sympathy across Muslim-majority populations.
The cables were notable in themselves, according to sources familiar with the situation. Many US diplomats have become reluctant to raise concerns under the current administration after seeing colleagues fired or sidelined. That these cables were sent at all reflects the severity of the situation on the ground.
“Posts are being very careful in selecting their topics and how they phrase things.”
— Anonymous US diplomat, via Politico
Status by country
Public perception that the US abandoned Bahrain to protect Israel. Pro-Iran accounts claim the US military presence turned Bahrain into a target. The British Embassy's more active social media presence has created an impression the UK is stepping up where America is retreating.
A significantly improving post-summit relationship has reversed course. Azerbaijani media shifted from neutral to critical of the US in April, with outlets blaming Washington and Israel for starting the conflict and lacking an exit strategy. Test-balloon reprinting of anti-Trump international stories has begun.
The world's largest Muslim-majority democracy is being targeted by a major Iranian influence operation using Telegram, Facebook and Morse-coded posts. The Iranian ambassador has called on Indonesia to quit Trump's Board of Peace. Security cooperation discussions have reportedly been paused.
Iran’s information war
The cables describe an Iranian influence machine that is fast, creative and increasingly effective. In Indonesia, Iranian Embassy posts are generating thousands more views and comments than before the war began. The ambassador has stepped up meetings with political and religious elites, framing the conflict as an act of Western imperialism against Muslim peoples.
In Bahrain, pro-Iran accounts spread narratives questioning whether US forces had turned the country into a target, and whether Washington had abandoned Gulf partners in favour of protecting Israel. The cable noted that the British Embassy’s more proactive social media presence created a damaging perception that London was engaging where Washington had gone silent.
“Post welcomes additional public diplomacy initiatives that promote US policy in the Middle East and counter anti-American messaging to engage Muslim-majority audiences in the current environment.”
— US Embassy Jakarta cable
Washington’s response
The State Department did not address the substance of the cables. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Trump administration’s actions were “making the United States, future generations, and the entire world safer by preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” and that the administration was “lockstep” in that effort.
The ceasefire in the Iran conflict, which expires April 22, has provided some temporary relief — particularly in Azerbaijan, where coverage has shifted toward analysis of the truce terms. But diplomats writing the cables warned that the damage to America’s standing could prove lasting if the war resumes or drags on without a clear resolution.