Iran's Social Media Strategy Amid U.S.-Israel Tensions

Following President Donald Trump's demand for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian embassy in Zimbabwe responded with a sarcastic remark on social media, stating, “We’ve lost the keys.” This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, particularly after military actions against Iran in February. Iranian embassies, especially in Africa, have become increasingly vocal on social media, with the South African embassy leading the charge. On the day a cease-fire between the U.S., Israel, and Iran took effect, the South African embassy posted, “Say hello to the new world superpower,” signaling Iran's defiance against perceived U.S. dominance.

New York Times

Iranian embassies have adopted a strategy of aggressive social media engagement, particularly in regions where they believe they can gain public support without facing backlash from host governments. Na’eem Jeenah, executive director of the Afro-Middle East Center in Johannesburg, noted that South Africa is a prime example of this approach. The Iranian embassy in South Africa has frequently posted content that not only mocks Trump but also utilizes artificial intelligence to create poignant messages, such as reanimating children reportedly killed by U.S. bombings in Iran. These clips feature the children discussing their dreams, aiming to humanize the Iranian narrative and counteract negative perceptions.

New York Times

Analysts suggest that this social media strategy serves multiple purposes: it aims to sanitize Iran's image and influence younger audiences who may not be aware of the country's historical repression and geopolitical conflicts. Additionally, Iranian embassies across Africa have sought to flatter their host nations, creating an impression of solidarity in opposition to U.S. and Israeli actions. For instance, the embassy in Tunisia initiated a campaign with other Iranian embassies, claiming support from various countries in their conflict.

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Critics argue that Iran's social media tactics may be an attempt to manipulate public perception and distract from its internal issues. The Trump administration has accused South Africa of being overly accommodating to Iran, which the South African government counters by emphasizing its historical ties with Iran and its commitment to nonalignment in international relations.

New York Times

While Iranian embassies have been active in promoting their narrative, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these campaigns in shaping public opinion in Africa. Additionally, the extent of support from African nations for Iran's stance against the U.S. and Israel remains unclear, with varying reports on the level of engagement from different countries.

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• “We’ve lost the keys.” — Iranian embassy in Zimbabwe

New York Times

• “Say hello to the new world superpower,” — Iranian embassy in South Africa

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• “South Africa is probably one of the better examples of that.” — Na’eem Jeenah, Executive Director, Afro-Middle East Center

New York Times