Listen to the article
In a dramatic escalation of its propaganda tactics, the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun deploying artificial intelligence to create fabricated videos designed to reinforce regime narratives and bolster support among loyal followers.
This technological shift represents a significant evolution beyond the traditional Photoshopped images of sinking American warships in the Persian Gulf that have long adorned murals produced by the Owj Arts and Media Organization, a massive media conglomerate functioning as the cultural arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
As tensions with the United States have mounted in recent weeks, Iranian state-backed channels have circulated an increasing number of AI-generated videos portraying supposed Iranian military victories and political developments. These videos initially appear on domestic messaging platforms like Eitaa and Rubika before spreading to international social networks.
One particularly troubling example involves a fabricated video showing the nighttime arrests of former President Hassan Rouhani and his Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, along with former President Mohammad Khatami. The video concludes with the ominous phrase “Ashuraic Reform” – terminology that invokes religious martyrdom and suggests violent political purging.
The emergence of this video follows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s public characterization of January’s nationwide protests as a “coup” that was successfully suppressed. This narrative gained momentum after the arrest of prominent Reformist figures, with the hardline Kayhan newspaper – whose editor is directly appointed by Khamenei – accusing them of “playing a role in the failed and criminal coup of America and the Zionist regime.”
Sources familiar with the situation told IranWire that Rouhani had recently visited several Grand Ayatollahs, urging them to pressure Khamenei to moderate his positions. In these meetings, Rouhani reportedly warned that the regime’s current security and regional policies could threaten the survival of Shia governance and the clerical establishment. He allegedly requested that religious authorities persuade regime leaders to guarantee the “Islamic system’s” continuity by halting uranium enrichment and seeking compromise with Western powers.
Analysts suggest the AI-generated video depicting Rouhani’s arrest may serve as a trial balloon to gauge public reaction. The Islamic Republic has a troubling history with its former presidents – almost all have been eliminated from public life, placed under house arrest, or politically disgraced, with the exceptions of current President Ebrahim Raisi and Khamenei himself.
The regime’s propaganda apparatus appears increasingly desperate to project strength amid growing internal dissent and external pressure. Other AI-generated videos circulating on pro-regime channels depict fantastical scenarios such as Donald Trump’s rage following supposed Iranian military victories, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the sinking of American carrier groups, and the development of advanced Iranian drones capable of carrying massive missile payloads.
The credibility crisis has become so severe that even official state media outlets have begun incorporating AI-generated content. Fars News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, published an artificial intelligence-created video purporting to show a pro-regime march on February 11 – content that remains visible on their social media accounts despite its fabricated nature.
Media experts note that in authoritarian systems like Iran’s, state-controlled outlets function not only as news sources but as propaganda tools designed to maintain supporter morale, even through deliberate falsehoods. Facing dual crises of legitimacy following the violent suppression of protests domestically and increasing international isolation, the regime appears to have turned to artificial intelligence as its latest weapon in the information war.
What was once a system that relied primarily on revolutionary slogans and carefully edited imagery has now embraced the frontier of digital deception, using artificial intelligence to create alternative realities for consumption by its most dedicated supporters.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
6 Comments
While I’m not surprised to see Iran leveraging new technologies like AI for propaganda, it’s still deeply concerning. Fabricated videos and false narratives can be extremely damaging, especially when circulated on social media. We need robust efforts to identify and counter these disinformation campaigns.
The use of AI to create false videos and imagery is a disturbing trend. It’s important that news consumers approach information from Iran’s state-backed channels with a critical eye and seek out credible, verified sources. Fact-checking and media literacy are key to combating these propaganda tactics.
Iran’s use of AI-generated videos to bolster regime narratives is a worrying development. Fabricating evidence and spreading disinformation undermines transparency and trust. It’s crucial that the international community closely monitors and responds to these propaganda efforts.
Agreed. Iran’s exploitation of AI technology for propaganda is a significant threat to the free flow of information. We must remain vigilant and continue to expose these deceptive tactics.
This is a worrying development, but not entirely unexpected from a regime like Iran. The use of AI to create fake videos is a disturbing tactic that undermines the truth and sows division. We must remain vigilant and continue to call out these propaganda efforts wherever they arise.
This is concerning news. It’s troubling to see authoritarian regimes like Iran leveraging AI to spread misinformation and propaganda. We need to be vigilant in identifying and calling out these tactics to preserve the integrity of information.