Cultural diplomacy represents a versatile and impactful instrument in foreign policy, fostering cross-national understanding and contributing to international stability. By facilitating cultural and artistic exchanges, promoting scientific and educational collaboration, enabling elite interaction, and addressing linguistic barriers, it provides valuable platforms for intercultural dialogue. Governments actively leverage cultural diplomacy through bilateral agreements, multilateral initiatives, and official cultural programs to showcase their national identity. This research investigates the potential of animation as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, specifically examining “The Dolphin Boy” animation through the lens of Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis. Each scene was analyzed as a discrete unit, identifying key cultural components. The analysis revealed that 24% of these components referenced historical heritage, 22% cultural heritage, 16% geographical and environmental elements, 11% ancient heritage, 10% Iranian customs and traditions, 8% handicrafts, 3% Iranian mythology, and 2% Iranian music. This study demonstrates the efficacy of animation in bolstering cultural diplomacy and projecting a positive image of Iran’s national identity on the global stage.