Tehran has significantly escalated its digital propaganda and influence operations targeting the United States and Israel, employing sophisticated tactics including artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content and elaborate fake personas across major social media platforms. This concerted information warfare campaign is a direct response to recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes, particularly "Operation Epic Fury," which commenced on February 28, 2026, marking a new phase in the ongoing regional conflict. The digital offensive aims to complement Iran's kinetic actions, intensify moral pressure on its adversaries, and shape global perceptions in its favor.
According to a March 24, 2026, report by The Guardian, Iran has radically overhauled its social media strategy, initiating an “all-out information war” to respond to perceived U.S. and Israeli aggression. Cyber experts describe these Iranian foreign influence operations as having gone into overdrive, forming an “asymmetric” campaign designed to exploit existing political and social fault lines in the U.S. This includes targeted postings on platforms such as X, Instagram, and Bluesky, calculated to leverage the war's unpopularity, even among supporters of former President Donald Trump. Research from Argyle Consulting Group, a private intelligence firm, indicates that during the first week of "Operation Epic Fury," 60% of the most viral posts on X mentioning "Iran" originated from accounts based outside the United States, despite often presenting themselves as American voices.
Central to Iran's updated digital strategy is the extensive use of AI-generated imagery and video. These fabricated visuals are deployed to exaggerate Iranian military successes, portray U.S. forces as vulnerable, and disseminate false claims about battlefield outcomes. An example includes an AI-generated image of a downed F-35 jet shared by Iranian state media during a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025, intended to bolster public confidence in Iran's defense capabilities. The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) noted on March 26, 2026, that AI generative technologies are playing a major role in shaping European perceptions of the conflict, with pro-Iran accounts spreading countless AI-generated videos and images to exaggerate the Islamic Republic's retaliation success.
The digital campaigns also rely heavily on “sophisticated fake personas” across various social media platforms. Meta, for instance, disrupted an Iran-linked influence operation in March 2026 that utilized approximately 300 Instagram accounts with detailed backstories, posing as journalists, commentators, women's rights activists, and even satirical cartoonists, some with AI-generated profile photos. These personas aim to build credibility and relationships with U.S. users before subtly introducing political narratives critical of Israel and U.S. policy in the Middle East. A Clemson University study, "From Texas to Tehran," identified a network of at least 61 accounts affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) across X, Instagram, and Bluesky, many using stolen or AI-generated profile pictures, often purporting to be women.
Iran has also repurposed existing influence networks, shifting their focus to the current conflict. Networks previously engaged in promoting causes like Scottish independence or Irish reunification have been immediately redirected to advance pro-regime narratives concerning the U.S.-Israeli strikes. These efforts leverage platforms like Nile Net Online, identified by Reuters as one of over 70 sites circulating Iranian disinformation while posing as legitimate news outlets.
Beyond external targets, Iran's information warfare extends domestically, especially during periods of internal unrest. During protests in December 2025 and January 2026, the regime implemented a coordinated narrative campaign to discredit demonstrators, labeling them as agents of the United States and Israel, and controlling information through internet shutdowns. Reports also indicate government agents have attempted to intimidate expatriate Iranians, threatening citizenship revocation or harm to family members in Iran if they post messages against the regime.
U.S. officials have openly acknowledged Iran's pervasive disinformation efforts. President Donald Trump, speaking on March 16, 2026, asserted that Iran is a country “based on disinformation” and now utilizes AI to amplify these campaigns, calling it a “terrible situation.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also highlighted AI-generated fake footage, such as one purportedly showing the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on fire, as attempts to mislead.
This digital conflict runs parallel to and intertwines with kinetic and cyber operations. The February 28, 2026, U.S.-Israeli strikes were accompanied by cyber operations, including the compromise of BadeSaba, a widely used religious calendar application, to deliver anti-government messages to Iranian users. Cybersecurity firms, including Google's Threat Intelligence Group, warn that Iran-linked actors continue to pose a serious threat to U.S. critical infrastructure, financial services, and water utilities. These digital campaigns are synchronized with physical operations to maximize operational and strategic pressure, making information warfare an integral component of Iran's regime survival strategy.
The ongoing convergence of kinetic, cyber, and psychological warfare underscores a new era of conflict. As the U.S. and Israel continue to confront Iran, the digital battlefield remains a critical domain for shaping public opinion and influencing strategic outcomes, necessitating sustained vigilance against evolving disinformation tactics.
ISN MEDIA
