The Best Shareable Content on Iran's New Nuclear Propaganda Website

"Nuclear energy … in Iran? When it has all that oil?" is a question that no one besides the nation's shiny new propaganda website has ever really asked. The rest of the site, of course, is devoted to excitedly answering the non-question, in a Flash-supported effort to placate web-savvy Western critics. Iran recently unveiled the pro-nuclear power website, apparently to extoll the virtues of its atomic ambitions, replete with shareable infographics, FAQs, and photo galleries.

The site's mission is to make the case for Iran's nuclear program—the state wants clean power for the sake of the environment, and for medical research and energy stability, it claims. Like the promo materials of countless other energy concerns, it brands its logo with cheery fonts and botanical iconography—Iran slapped a little eco-friendly twig right on top.

It's actually a pretty well-manicured effort, and there are certainly some interesting tidbits in here. Take this timeline infographic, which demonstrates Iran's relationship with the West in the context of its energy program.

First, Iran "relied" on the West, then, it "turned away," and now, it's fully commenced the process of "indigenization." It's a narrative that seeks to pay respect to nations like the US, acknowledges a period of strife, and then hints at reconciliation—all while quietly appealling to the American ego.

Then there's this nugget, which claims to show public support for the nuclear program alongside the periods where sanctions were being imposed—it's not clear if it's meant to show Iranian or American support. Either way, don't fact-check it. Assuming it's showing Iranian opinion, it's way off—take the most recent Gallup May/June poll it shows, indicating there was over 70 percent support in Iran for nuclear power then. In reality, it was closer to 50 percent.

There's also a 'Controversies' section that details (and presumeably debunks) the conflicts that have arisen over the various stages of the program. Interestingly, no mention is made of the Stuxnet virus in the text—yet it hovers suggestively over the section in the page's banner image.

There are some pretty good pics of Iran's nascent nuke plants, too.

Cool perspective distortion!

Those guys kind of look alarmed, though.

And look, a nuclear materials mining site, with huge pools of red waste.

All told, I'd have to say the new site makes a pretty solid case. I'm sold. Well played, Iranian communications department. And even if you're still anti-Iranian nuke power by the time you're done browsing, you'll have to admit it works better than Healthcare.gov.