Iran's Digital Warfare: How Tehran Uses Memes and AI to Challenge Trump Online
In the escalating information war between Washington and Tehran, fake news and misinformation about the conflict are spreading rapidly as both sides vie for narrative control. While over 92 million Iranians have endured a nationwide internet blackout for more than 30 days, one influential figure with access is leveraging a potent mix of memes, trading tips, and sarcasm to engage Donald Trump in a propaganda battle on his own turf.
The Key Player: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
The hardline speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has emerged as a central figure in this digital confrontation. At 64, Ghalibaf is a former commander with connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is regarded as a leading conservative in Iran. Despite his background, experts view him as a pragmatist, and Trump has reportedly identified him as a behind-the-scenes negotiator, though Ghalibaf and Iran's foreign ministry have denied such claims.
Publicly, Ghalibaf regularly posts taunting memes in English on X, directly countering Trump's frequent Truth Social updates about the war. This head-to-head clash is unfolding through an arsenal of memes, viral videos, and AI-generated content, transforming social media into a battlefield for influence.
Memes as Weapons of Taunt
Ghalibaf's recent posts on X have been particularly provocative. One meme compared the No Kings protests in the US to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which overthrew a US-backed monarchy, with Ghalibaf writing, "Welcome to the party we started 47 years ago, No kings," and adding, "We approve this message." Another featured a photo of a damaged American E-3 Sentry aircraft hit by an Iranian drone, captioned mockingly, "Sustained only minor damage," accompanied by pinching hand emojis.
Last week, he ridiculed Trump's shifting war objectives, stating, "They're playing 6D chess again!" with clapping hands emojis. In a more aggressive weekend message, he warned that Iran was "waiting for American soldiers to enter on the ground so they can set them ablaze." These posts have reached hundreds of thousands of users, amplifying Iran's narrative.
Financial Advice and Accusations
Beyond memes, Ghalibaf has ventured into financial commentary, accusing Trump of attempting to manipulate oil markets through social media. In an extraordinary post on 30 March, he appeared to offer trading advice, writing, "Heads-up: Pre-market so-called 'news' or 'Truth' is often just a setup for profit-taking. Basically, it's a reverse indicator. Do the opposite: If they pump it, short it. If they dump it, go long. See something tomorrow? You know the drill."
He also mocked US military capabilities, questioning, "How can the US, which can't even protect its own soldiers at its bases in the region and instead leaves them stashed away in hotels and parks, protect them on our soil?" This blend of sarcasm and strategic messaging underscores Iran's multifaceted approach to online propaganda.
AI and Viral Videos in the Conflict
Pro-Iran accounts, including state-linked ones, are disseminating AI-generated videos that mock figures like Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as weak. These videos suggest that the US, Israel, and Gulf states will face significant losses if the war continues. Last month, Iran's Tasnim News Agency shared a bizarre two-minute video depicting Trump and Netanyahu as Lego figurines alongside a Lego Satan, reviewing a folder titled "Jeffrey Epstein File."
This content is partly a response to White House videos on X that blend real war footage with video game graphics and superhero movie clips, drawing criticism for gamifying the conflict. One such video referenced Grand Theft Auto, with captions like "Ah s***, here we go again" and "wasted" superimposed over strike footage.
Criticism and the Human Cost
The White House's approach has faced backlash from figures like Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, who stated, "War is not a f****** video game," and highlighted the deaths of six Americans. Chicago's Cardinal Blase Cupich condemned the videos as "sickening," emphasizing the real suffering involved.
Despite this criticism, both Tehran and Washington continue to wage this meme war, using similar tactics to trivialize a conflict that has resulted in approximately 5,000 deaths across the region. As the digital front expands, the lines between propaganda, entertainment, and warfare blur, highlighting the evolving nature of modern geopolitical disputes.
