We spoke to the man creating viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts call it potent propaganda

AI clips mimic Lego aesthetics to spread pro-Iran messaging

At first glance, the videos seem like scenes from a Lego film, yet they carry a more intense and dynamic tone. Featuring dramatic imagery of dying children, fighter jets, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, they are not just playful animations but carefully crafted pro-Iran content. For the BBC podcast *Top Comment*, we interviewed a representative of Explosive Media, a key producer of these clips. He asked to be called Mr. Explosive, a social media strategist who initially denied ties to the Iranian government. In past interviews, his group claimed independence, but during our conversation, he acknowledged Iran as a “customer” — a term he had never publicly confirmed before.

Propaganda with a pop culture twist

The core message of these videos is Iran’s defiance against the United States, framed as a global oppressor. Though the visuals are flashy and unsubtle, they have sparked widespread engagement. In one clip, Trump is depicted falling through a storm of “Epstein file” documents, accompanied by rap music. Another shows George Floyd beneath a police boot, with narration claiming Iran stands for “everyone your system ever wronged.” Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda analyst, argues that “slopaganda” — a term from an academic paper referencing “AI slop” — underestimates the sophistication of these clips. They are estimated to have been viewed hundreds of millions of times during the conflict.

Behind the scenes of the digital campaign

During our video call, Mr. Explosive appeared in a silhouette, with red and green lights — the colors of the Iranian flag — glowing behind him. On his desk sat a green-feathered helmet linked to Shia warrior Husayn ibn Ali, a recurring symbol in their videos. He explained that his team of fewer than ten members uses Lego-style graphics because “it is a world language.” Iranian and Russian state media accounts on X regularly share these clips, amplifying their reach.

Epstein files and alternative narratives

When asked about the heavy use of Epstein files in their videos, Mr. Explosive said it was to highlight the “kind of confrontation” between Iran, which “seeks truth and freedom,” and those “associated with cannibals.” This refers to a theory linking the Trump administration to cannibalism, despite lacking credible evidence. The videos also contain factual errors, such as depicting an Iranian military capture of a U.S. pilot. US officials confirmed the airman was rescued by special forces on 4 April. Mr. Explosive contested this, suggesting the focus was on “stealing uranium from Iran.”

Impact and strategic use of AI

A U.S.-based TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, noted the Lego videos had “shockingly accurately” portrayed a recent pilot mission as a “special ops mission for uranium,” not a rescue. Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare expert, described Iran’s tactics as “defensive memetic warfare,” a strategy to counter U.S. narratives. Explosive Media’s clips emerged in early 2025 but gained momentum after the U.S.-Iran war. Now, they include hyper-detailed Gulf locations like power stations and airports, showing them “totally destroyed” by Iranian missiles.

These videos, blending pop culture with political messaging, underscore how AI enables authoritarian nations to engage Western audiences more directly than ever. Tools trained on Western data allow for “culturally appropriate” content, a gap previous regimes struggled to fill. As the war continues, the Lego-style propaganda may evolve, reshaping perceptions in real time.