We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda

Iran’s AI Propaganda in Lego Style Sparks Debate

Recent videos circulating online have captured global attention with their playful, Lego-inspired visuals. Yet beneath the colorful, fast-paced scenes lie stark messages about Iran’s struggles against the United States. These clips, created by a team known as Explosive Media, are now seen as a potent tool for shaping public opinion. For the BBC podcast Top Comment, we reached out to a representative of the group, who requested to be called Mr. Explosive. He initially claimed independence from the Iranian government but later acknowledged the regime as a “customer” in their operations.

Bringing the Message to the Masses

Mr. Explosive described his team as a small group of less than ten individuals who use Lego-style graphics to reach a broad audience. “It’s a universal language,” he explained. The videos feature dramatic imagery, such as Donald Trump being swept by documents labeled “Epstein file” or George Floyd under a policeman’s boot, accompanied by slogans like “Iran stands here for everyone your system ever wronged.” These visuals, though exaggerated, have resonated widely, prompting millions of shares and comments.

“Slopaganda” is too weak a term to capture how impactful this “highly sophisticated” content is,” said Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda expert. “It’s not just flashy—it’s strategically designed to reinforce Iran’s narrative.”

The videos are part of a broader strategy to counter U.S. influence. Iranian and Russian state media accounts on X frequently amplify these clips, reaching millions. Mr. Explosive highlighted the use of the Epstein files in his work, linking them to claims about the Trump administration’s alleged ties to cannibalism. While such theories lack evidence, they align with the videos’ goal of framing Iran as a defender against Western dominance.

Fact-Checking the Narrative

One video shows an Iranian military capturing a downed U.S. pilot, but U.S. officials clarified that the airman was rescued by special forces on April 4. Mr. Explosive disputed this, suggesting the focus was on “stealing uranium from Iran.” When challenged with evidence of the pilot’s treatment in Kuwait, he retorted: “Only 13% of what Mr. Trump says is based on facts.”

As the US-Iran war progressed, these clips have evolved in complexity. They now depict specific Gulf locations—power plants, airports, and industrial zones—being obliterated by Iranian missiles. While some details may be exaggerated, the viral nature of the content has allowed Iran to bypass traditional media and directly engage Western audiences. Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare specialist at Nottingham Trent University, called this “defensive memetic warfare,” a tactic to challenge U.S. rhetoric in a relatable format.

Power of AI in Propaganda

Experts note that AI tools, trained on Western data, enable authoritarian regimes to craft culturally relevant messaging. “This is what countries targeting the West have lacked before,” Briant observed. The success of Explosive Media’s approach has even drawn praise from some U.S. influencers, like @newswithsteph, who called the videos “shockingly accurate” in highlighting alternative narratives about the recent pilot mission.