Iran's AI-Generated Memes Target Trump, Shape War Narrative
Pro-Iran groups have deployed artificial intelligence to create English-language memes attacking U.S. officials and opposing the conflict that began Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israel strikes. The campaign aims to build domestic opposition to the war and pressure Western governments to withdraw support.
The memes originate from groups linked to Tehran's government and represent a strategy to inflict indirect damage on the U.S. with minimal resources, according to analysts. A ceasefire announced Wednesday raised hopes of halting hostilities, though significant issues remain unresolved.
"This is a propaganda war for them," said Neil Lavie-Driver, an AI researcher at the University of Cambridge. "Their goal is to sow enough discontent with the conflict as to eventually force the West to cave in, so it is massively important to them."
Content and Reach
The animations demonstrate technical sophistication and cultural fluency. They lampoon President Donald Trump as aging and internationally isolated, reference health concerns, mock infighting within the MAGA base, and highlight Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's contentious confirmation hearing.
One series mimics the style of Lego animated films. In one example, an Iranian military commander raps while Trump falls into a bullseye constructed from "Epstein files." The videos have accumulated millions of views across social platforms, though their actual influence remains unclear.
"They're using popular culture against the No. 1 pop culture country, the United States," said Nancy Snow, a scholar who has written extensively on propaganda.
Government Backing Evident
The technical requirements for generating and uploading high-quality AI content indicate official or unofficial regime cooperation, according to Mahsa Alimardani, a director at WITNESS, a human-rights group focused on AI video evidence.
"If you're able to have the bandwidth needed to generate content like that and upload it, you are officially or unofficially cooperating with the regime," Alimardani said. Iran has severely restricted internet access as part of a broader crackdown on nationwide protests earlier this year.
State media has reposted material from Akhbar Enfejari (Explosive News), the account behind the Lego-style videos. The group told the Associated Press via Telegram that it represents Iranians producing content within Iran to disrupt "decades-long dominance of Western control of the airwaves."
After the ceasefire announcement, Akhbar Enfejari posted: "IRAN WON! The way to crush imperialism has been shown to the world. Trump Surrendered."
Asymmetric Information Warfare
The U.S. and Israel have not mounted comparable campaigns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video using AI to simulate him speaking Farsi and urging Iranians to overthrow their government. The White House has published memes aimed at domestic audiences, featuring clips from American television and sports.
Reaching ordinary Iranians with counter-messaging would prove difficult given the government's internet restrictions. The Voice of America, which broadcasts in Farsi to countries without free press traditions, has operated with minimal staff since Trump ordered it shut down.
The deep knowledge of American politics and culture behind these campaigns reflects decades of Iranian government programs promoting anti-U.S. and anti-Israel narratives, analysts said.
"This meme war comes from institutions that are very aware what the American public is aware of and pop cultural references that can appeal to them," Alimardani said.
For government officials, the campaign illustrates how adversaries use generative AI and LLM capabilities to conduct information operations at scale, and why understanding AI for Government applications extends beyond efficiency gains to include defensive measures against coordinated disinformation.
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