What is the ‘soft war' version of the Israel-Iran war that's escalating tensions?
As military tensions between Israel and Iran reach new heights, a parallel 'soft war' is raging online, where artificial intelligence-generated disinformation is shaping global perceptions of the conflict on an unprecedented scale. Investigators warn that millions are being exposed to fabricated images and videos, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction in real-time.
This digital onslaught has seen over 100 million views on just the three most viral fake videos, according to
BBC Verify
. These AI-generated clips and images, widely shared across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and
Instagram
, depict scenes such as Israeli F-35 jets being shot down and missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Forensic analysis has confirmed these are fabrications, often created using advanced AI tools or repurposed from video games and unrelated past events.
This digital barrage began after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. Almost immediately, a surge of AI-generated videos and images flooded
social media
, purporting to show dramatic battlefield victories, destroyed aircraft, and devastated cities.
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Some of these visuals, such as images of destroyed aircraft and missile strikes on Tel Aviv, have been traced to advanced AI video generators and marked with watermarks from tools like Google's Veo 3. Iranian state media and official Israeli channels have both been caught sharing misleading or outdated visuals, further worsening the information environment.
The consequences are profound: not only are public perceptions being manipulated, but both sides of the conflict are leveraging these tactics. Pro-Iranian accounts, such as the rapidly growing 'Daily Iran Military,' which does not appear to have any direct links to Tehran authorities, experienced a remarkable surge in popularity—its follower count on X soared from just over 700,000 on June 13 to 1.4 million by June 19, marking an 85% jump in less than a week. Meanwhile, some pro-Israeli sources have recycled old protest footage, presenting it as fresh evidence of unrest in Iran.
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Experts say this is the first major conflict where generative AI is being deployed at such a scale to influence narratives. Emmanuelle Saliba of Get Real calls it 'unprecedented,' while Lisa Kaplan, CEO of Alethea, notes that none of the viral footage showing downed Israeli jets has been authenticated. Instead, these clips exploit the speed and reach of social media to amplify falsehoods.
The spread of disinformation is further accelerated by so-called 'engagement farming,' where accounts—many with verified status—post sensational content to attract followers and monetize their reach. Analysts have also traced some of these networks to foreign influence operations, particularly Russian-linked groups seeking to undermine Western military credibility.
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