Pro-Iranian Networks on X Generated Over 1 Billion Views in Iran War’s First Month

Over the first month of the Iran war, two coordinated pro-Iranian networks on X generated more than a billion views through the spread of false, misleading, and AI-generated content. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) identified these networks—dubbed BRICS4CLICKS and Verified4War—by analyzing account metadata, reposting patterns, and content similarities.

Both networks, comprising approximately 20 accounts each, purchased X’s Premium subscription to obtain blue check verification marks. Their content received significant amplification through X’s algorithmically curated “For You” feed, helping them reach a massive audience despite their relatively small size.

The networks’ posts were shared or engaged with by thousands of accounts with more than 50,000 followers, including Iranian and Russian diplomatic accounts. However, ISD found no conclusive evidence that either network was directly backed by state actors, and their motivations—whether financial or ideological—remain unclear.

During the research period, X removed many accounts from both networks, though not all of them. It’s uncertain whether the platform recognized these accounts as part of coordinated networks rather than isolated rule violators. The case highlights how small groups of accounts can potentially shape public opinion through coordination and algorithmic amplification.

Network Characteristics and Coordination

The BRICS4CLICKS network, comprising 23 identified accounts, showed clear signs of coordinated activity. Since February, 80 percent of the network’s accounts changed their usernames at least once, often adopting handles that made them appear to be global media outlets or news sources from Iran, Russia, China, India, or North Korea.

Nearly two-thirds of these accounts purchased X Premium Subscriptions to gain verification after the war began. Despite claiming to represent news sources from around the world, all accounts appeared to be based in West Asia, including countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

The Verified4War network showed similar coordination patterns across its 18 identified accounts. All accounts in this network changed their usernames in March 2026, and 82 percent obtained blue checkmarks in February or March. Most were based in South Asia or Southeast Asia according to platform data.

These accounts typically presented themselves as news sources, parody accounts, or commentary accounts dedicated to political figures or national militaries. Names like “Mojtaba Khamenei Parody,” “Kim Jong Un Parody,” and “USA ARMY NEWS” were common, likely designed to evade platform takedowns for impersonation.

Massive Reach and Engagement

The impact of these small networks was extraordinary. BRICS4CLICKS posts received more than 772 million views, 14 million likes, and 3 million reposts in just one month. The network averaged 27.6 million views per day across approximately 900 posts, peaking at over 63 million views in a single day.

The Verified4War network generated more than 370 million views, 1.5 million likes, and 410,000 reposts across roughly 2,000 posts during the same period. On average, its accounts received more than 13 million views daily.

This remarkable reach appears driven by X’s algorithmic amplification and engagement from high-profile accounts. Researchers routinely discovered content from both networks in their “For You” feeds, and accounts with over 50,000 followers engaged with the networks’ content thousands of times.

Misleading Content and False Narratives

Both networks circulated false and AI-generated content that exaggerated Iran’s military successes while denigrating the United States and Israel. One of BRICS4CLICKS’s most viewed posts featured an AI-generated video of an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv that received more than 11 million views.

The networks also spread unsubstantiated rumors, including claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been killed in Iranian strikes—a narrative that generated over 43 million views through Verified4War accounts alone.

BRICS4CLICKS frequently linked the conflict to Jeffrey Epstein, echoing Iranian state messaging that the war was started to distract from revelations in recently released Epstein files. Posts referring to the war as “Operation Epstein Fury” and suggesting Iran was fighting to dismantle a network of “Epstein elites” generated millions of views.

The networks also pushed antisemitic content, with some posts glorifying the Holocaust and reinforcing conspiracy theories about Jewish communities.

Platform Amplification and Implications

Despite X’s policy against unlabeled AI-generated content depicting armed conflict, many such posts remained on the platform and received algorithmic promotion. The networks’ blue check verification marks—available through paid subscriptions—likely lent them an air of credibility.

Analysts note that these networks have succeeded by adopting the language and culture of the post-truth era. Rather than traditional propaganda aimed at convincing audiences, their content often seeks to amuse and entertain, making it more shareable and engaging.

This approach represents an evolution in information warfare tactics, where the battle is less about winning hearts and minds and more about garnering online attention and engagement. While X has suspended many accounts from both networks, the case illustrates the challenges platforms face in identifying and addressing coordinated influence operations in real-time.

While this study focused exclusively on X, similar inauthentic networks likely exist across other social media platforms, suggesting a broader problem in the information ecosystem during global conflicts.