Iran's Online Information Warfare Amidst the Ongoing Conflict

The recent conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has not only escalated militarily but has also ignited a significant online information war. Following President Donald Trump's announcement of military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Iranian state-affiliated social media accounts rapidly shifted their focus to disseminating propaganda, utilizing AI-generated content to influence public opinion, particularly in the U.S.

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A study from Clemson University highlighted that within 24 hours of the military strikes, numerous social media accounts linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began posting Iranian propaganda. This content, which included AI-generated videos and images, often portrayed Iran as successful in the conflict while mocking U.S. leadership. Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub, noted that these AI-generated materials effectively spread political messaging, particularly among audiences critical of the war.

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The Iranian regime has adeptly exploited existing sentiments against military involvement in the Middle East. Ipsos polling from mid-March indicated that 58% of Americans opposed military strikes in Iran, providing fertile ground for Iranian narratives. Tine Munk, a senior lecturer in criminology, emphasized that AI videos resonate emotionally, allowing complex ideas to be communicated quickly, even when the content is evidently fabricated.

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The dissemination of misinformation has been rampant, with many videos and images claiming to depict Iranian attacks on Israel being either outdated or entirely fabricated. Information warfare analyst Tal Hagin pointed out that the initial real strike in Tel Aviv on February 28 has been misused to create a narrative of ongoing attacks, complicating the public's ability to discern truth from fiction. Melanie Smith from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue criticized social media platforms for failing to adequately label and remove false content, allowing it to gain millions of views before being debunked.

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The U.S. government, including President Trump, has accused Iran of using AI-generated "fake news" as a disinformation weapon. However, the White House has also faced scrutiny for its own use of AI in crafting narratives about the conflict. The chaotic information landscape has been exacerbated by censorship in both Iran and Israel, further complicating the flow of accurate information.

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The conflict represents a new frontier in information warfare, where AI-generated content is used strategically to shape perceptions and create uncertainty. As Smith noted, this is the first instance where AI has been intentionally deployed to sow confusion regarding real events on the ground. The Iranian regime's focus on information warfare reflects a broader strategy to compensate for its military limitations by influencing public opinion.

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As the conflict continues, the effectiveness of Iranian propaganda and misinformation tactics will likely evolve. The situation poses significant challenges for both U.S. and Israeli efforts to maintain public support for military actions. The ongoing information war will play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and potentially influencing the conflict's trajectory.

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• “The propaganda includes memes and cartoons that aren't meant to be perceived as real but are very good at spreading political messaging,” — Darren Linvill, Co-Director, Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub

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• “travel fast and plug into emotions that people already have” — Tine Munk, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University

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• “There was a strike in Tel Aviv on February 28th, and the videos and photos of those strikes have been used every single day to allegedly depict new strikes,” — Tal Hagin, Information Warfare Analyst

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• “Iran has been fairly successful, certainly more successful than the US and Israel, in reaching a broad audience and gaining more support than they might otherwise have,” — Darren Linvill, Co-Director, Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub

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