An anonymous Iranian team called Explosive Media is producing AI-generated LEGO-style videos to spread pro-Iran narratives across social media platforms [1, 2].

This campaign represents a shift in information warfare by using familiar, child-friendly aesthetics to deliver political messages to Western audiences. By masking propaganda as innocuous entertainment, the creators aim to bypass traditional skepticism and influence public opinion on a global scale [3, 5].

The videos depict various political figures, including Donald Trump and Israel's prime minister, in animated LEGO form [2, 3]. These clips have circulated online since at least early 2024 [1, 4], though some reports suggest they appeared as early as 2022 [5].

Content from Explosive Media has been shared widely on X, TikTok, and Meta platforms [2, 4]. These LEGO-style propaganda videos have collectively amassed more than 10 million views [1]. Analysts have identified dozens of distinct videos as part of this effort [4].

"These AI-generated clips are part of a coordinated effort by Iran to influence public opinion," Norman Murray said [1].

Dr. Sarah Ahmed said Iran is using AI to create content that looks innocuous but carries a political message [3]. The strategy leverages the accessibility of generative AI to produce high volumes of content quickly.

"Information warfare has always adapted to new media; today that means LEGO-style animations powered by AI," Dr. Emily Jones said [5].

Responses from social media companies have been inconsistent. Some reports indicate that X, Meta, and TikTok have remained silent and taken no action [1]. However, other reports state that some videos were removed from X and TikTok following user complaints [3].

“"These AI-generated clips are part of a coordinated effort by Iran to influence public opinion,"”

The use of AI to mimic a globally recognized toy brand allows state-sponsored actors to lower the psychological defenses of viewers. By blending geopolitical agendas with a playful visual style, the campaign demonstrates how generative AI can be weaponized to make propaganda more palatable and shareable, challenging the ability of social media platforms to detect and moderate nuanced influence operations.