ALBAWABA - Claims of artificial intelligence–generated propaganda have sparked controversy online after images shared by an official Israeli government-linked social media account were accused of misrepresenting events inside Iran amid ongoing protests.
The allegations center on a post published by Israel’s official Persian-language account on X (formerly Twitter), which showed what appeared to be Iranian security forces confronting protesters. Critics on social media argued that the image was either manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence, pointing to visual inconsistencies — including what they described as Hebrew-language insignia on the uniforms of officers purportedly shown as Iranian police.
The Israeli account accompanying the image accused Iran’s leadership of being a “delusional and fading regime” and claimed the government fears the power of public protest. The post quickly circulated across platforms, drawing scrutiny from analysts, activists, and media commentators.
The image's veracity was challenged by multiple users and independent analysts, who speculated it might have been digitally manipulated or generated by AI to amplify or invent scenes of turmoil. Critics highlighted inconsistencies in uniforms, lighting, and badge designs as evidence that the image didn't accurately depict Iranian security forces.
Israel has yet to officially address the allegations of AI generation or manipulation, and it hasn't confirmed the photo's source. Iranian officials, for their part, have accused Israel of conducting an information war designed to undermine the nation and fuel internal discord.
"This fits into a broader pattern: states and political players are using AI-generated content to mold narratives, particularly when things get dicey," a regional digital security analyst, who asked to remain unnamed, explained. "Once this stuff is out there, it's almost impossible to rein it in."
These claims also come on the heels of increased online activity by digital accounts linked to Israel, which have been targeting Iranian audiences, especially during times of political strife or protest. While Israel has openly admitted to running psychological and information campaigns against Iran for some time, using AI-generated images as an official communication tool, if true, would mark a serious escalation.
