We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
Viral AI Clips in Lego Style Amplify Iranian Propaganda
At first glance, these videos resemble scenes from a Lego film, yet they carry a far more intense narrative. Featuring dramatic imagery of children in peril, U.S. fighter jets, and Donald Trump, they are not mere entertainment but a strategic tool for Iran. The BBC podcast Top Comment recently spoke with Mr. Explosive, a figure linked to Explosive Media, the outlet behind these viral clips. He insisted on being called by his alias, describing himself as a social media strategist who initially denied ties to the Iranian government.
The Lego Aesthetic as a Global Language
Though the outlet claims independence in prior statements, Mr. Explosive later admitted Iran is a “customer,” a revelation he hadn’t shared publicly before. The videos’ bold, unpolished style—drenched in vibrant colors and rapid cuts—contrasts sharply with their message: Iran as a defender against U.S. dominance. The clips are designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, with no effort toward subtlety.
“Slopaganda”—a term from an academic paper last year—falls short of describing this “highly sophisticated” content, according to Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda expert.
One video depicts Trump engulfed in a storm of “Epstein file” documents, accompanied by rap lyrics declaring, “the secrets are leaking, the pressure is rising.” Another shows George Floyd under a policeman’s foot, as the narrator asserts Iran is “standing here for everyone your system ever wronged.” These visuals are part of a broader effort to frame Iran as a bulwark against Western oppression.
Propaganda as a Weapon of Influence
Mr. Explosive’s team, comprising fewer than ten members, employs Lego-style graphics to appeal to a global audience. He explained the choice: “It’s a world language,” making the message accessible across borders. Iranian and Russian state media frequently share these clips, reaching millions of followers. When asked about the Epstein files’ prominent role, he said they symbolize the “kind of confrontation they are witnessing” between Iran, which “seeks truth and freedom,” and “those who associate themselves with cannibals.”
“This is a reference to the theory that the Epstein files link the Trump administration to cannibalism—a claim lacking credible evidence.”
The videos also include inaccuracies. In one, an Iranian military capture of a U.S. pilot is shown, but U.S. officials confirmed the airman was rescued by special forces on April 4. Mr. Explosive contested this, suggesting the “main goal was to steal uranium.” When pressed about the pilot’s current status in Kuwait, he retorted, “Only 13% of what Mr. Trump says is based on facts.”
Defensive Memetic Warfare
Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare specialist at Nottingham Trent University, labeled Iran’s approach “defensive memetic warfare.” She argued it is a necessary tactic to counter U.S. narratives. Explosive Media’s clips gained traction in early 2025, but their influence surged during the U.S.-Iran conflict. Now, the videos depict specific Gulf locations—power stations, airports, and industrial sites—being obliterated by Iranian missiles.
Despite real-world discrepancies, these videos have shaped perceptions among English-speaking viewers. A U.S.-based TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, claimed the Lego-style clips “broke the story” about the pilot mission, framing it as a “special ops mission for uranium” rather than a rescue.
AI’s Role in Shaping Global Narratives
Experts note that AI tools, trained on Western data, allow authoritarian states to craft content tailored to their target audiences. This capability has enabled Iran to bypass traditional media channels and engage directly with global viewers, reinforcing its message of resistance with striking visual appeal.
