Iran has launched a broad information offensive utilizing artificial intelligence and existing political divisions in the West to undermine support for U.S. and Israeli actions.
AI and Propaganda: New Tools of Influence
Iran is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and propaganda in its foreign influence operations. The scale and dynamics of online activity have significantly increased since the start of military actions by the U.S. and Israel in late February.
Tehran rapidly reoriented its propaganda infrastructure to focus on influencing public opinion abroad, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Asymmetric Warfare in the Digital Realm
Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, emphasizes that this represents a classic asymmetric strategy. He notes the impressive pace and scale of AI utilization, unprecedented in previous observations.
According to Linvill, Iran has been preparing for this scenario for years, developing digital influence tools and analyzing Western media ecosystems.
Realistic Fabrications and Targeted Memes
A key element of the campaign involves the use of AI-generated materials, including realistic depictions of alleged strikes on Tel Aviv, dramatic scenes on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and frightened Israeli civilians. Some of these materials gained significant traction before being debunked by fact-checkers.
Alongside these, satirical memes and short videos targeting Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have been widely disseminated, aiming to discredit the leaders and question the rationale for military engagement.
Targeting Trump Voters and the MAGA Movement
The operation specifically targets communities surrounding Donald Trump, reinforcing existing skepticism towards foreign intervention within a segment of the Republican electorate.
Alex Goldenberg, a network threat analyst, highlights Tehran’s strategy of identifying and amplifying existing tensions in American public discourse, rather than creating new narratives.
Amplifying Existing Narratives and Exploiting Divisions
The widespread dissemination of clips from Tucker Carlson’s interview with Joe Kent, a former Trump administration advisor, exemplifies this approach. These clips suggested Israel drew the U.S. into the conflict, which was immediately amplified by Iranian channels.
Network Transformation and Shifting Narratives
Research from Clemson University reveals that networks of Iran-linked accounts rapidly shifted their content focus. Profiles previously focused on issues like Scottish independence and Irish unification almost overnight began exclusively publishing content related to the conflict.
This shift often maintained the existing identity of the accounts, leading to inconsistencies. Narratives portraying Iranian leaders as martyrs were published by profiles styled as young Western European users, undermining authenticity but not reach.
State Media and Disinformation
Official communication channels, including the English-language Press TV, played a significant role, with their materials heavily promoted on social media and subsequently replicated by users, increasing their reach and credibility.
Experts suggest some of this content was effective enough to enter mainstream public discussion in the U.S., particularly amid growing societal fatigue with ongoing armed conflicts.
Repression and Control of Information
Concurrently with the information offensive, Iranian authorities have tightened control over information access within the country, imposing a near-total internet blockade and threatening sanctions for using alternative sources like satellite systems.
Reports also indicate pressure on Iranians living abroad, with individuals publishing critical content receiving warnings of potential consequences for family members remaining in Iran or even loss of citizenship.
Cyberstrategy as a Regime Survival Tool
Analysts agree that cyber activity has become a pillar of Iran’s strategy, alongside potential military actions like threats to the Strait of Hormuz or attacks on U.S. targets. Information warfare is crucial for limiting international pressure.
The ability to influence public sentiment in Western countries allows Iran to impact political decisions without direct military confrontation, potentially influencing the course of the conflict in a period of heightened geopolitical tension.