We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
AI-Driven Lego-Style Propaganda: A Viral Campaign for Iran’s Narrative
At first glance, these videos appear as if plucked from a Lego movie, yet they pulse with a darker urgency. Vibrant and dynamic, they depict scenes of suffering children, US military aircraft, and Donald Trump, all rendered in the iconic Lego aesthetic. But beneath the playful visuals lies a strategic message: Iran’s defiance of the United States. The BBC podcast Top Comment recently spoke with a representative of Explosive Media, a key producer of these clips. He asked to be called Mr. Explosive, emphasizing his independence before the interview. However, when pressed, he acknowledged Iran’s role as a “customer,” a detail he had not previously disclosed.
The Art of Persuasion Through Pop Culture
Mr. Explosive’s team, small and agile, employs Lego-style graphics to bypass cultural barriers. “It’s a universal language,” he explained, highlighting their appeal across global audiences. The videos, often shared by Iranian and Russian state media on X, feature dramatic imagery tied to Iran’s ideological stance. In one clip, Trump is engulfed by swirling “Epstein file” documents, accompanied by rap lyrics. In another, George Floyd is symbolically trampled, echoing Iran’s claim of standing against systemic injustice.
“Slopaganda” is too weak a term to capture how powerful this “highly sophisticated” content is,” said Dr. Emma Briant, a leading expert in propaganda. “It’s not just flashy—it’s strategically crafted to resonate.”
Despite their bold, unsubtle tone, these videos have sparked widespread engagement. Even as critics point out factual errors, such as the claim that an Iranian military capture was a “special ops mission for uranium,” the narrative persists. One TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, praised the clips as “shockingly accurate,” aligning with the alternative story of a US pilot mission that prioritized uranium extraction over rescue.
From Humor to Influence
The videos began circulating in early 2025, but their impact surged during the US-Iran conflict. They now showcase precise Gulf locations—power plants, airports, and industrial zones—destroyed by Iranian missiles. Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare specialist at Nottingham Trent University, described the strategy as “defensive memetic warfare,” a tactic to counter US dominance in global discourse. The use of AI, trained on Western data, allows authoritarian states to craft content that feels familiar yet provocative, she noted.
Mr. Explosive’s setup during the video call was symbolic: a red-and-green-lit silhouette, mirroring Iran’s flag, and a green-feathered helmet linked to the Shia martyr Husayn ibn Ali. This visual language reinforces the narrative of resistance, framing the US as an aggressor and Iran as a defender of truth. While the videos may rely on unverified claims, their virality underscores the evolving power of AI in shaping public perception.
