We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
These AI videos, resembling Lego scenes but more intense, have sparked global attention. Their vivid, fast-paced visuals include elements like dying children, fighter jets, and Donald Trump, all woven into a narrative promoting Iran’s stance against the United States. For the BBC podcast Top Comment, we spoke with a representative from Explosive Media, one of the leading creators of these clips. He preferred to be called Mr. Explosive, a social media strategist who initially claimed independence from the Iranian government. However, under further scrutiny, he acknowledged the regime as a “customer”—a designation he had never publicly confirmed before.
Messages of Resistance
The core theme of the videos is Iran’s defiance of what it frames as U.S. global dominance. Despite their flashy, unsubtle style, the content has generated widespread engagement. In one clip, Trump is shown tumbling through a storm of “Epstein file” documents as rap lyrics declare, “the secrets are leaking, the pressure is rising.” Another features George Floyd beneath a policeman’s boot, accompanied by a narration asserting Iran stands “for everyone your system ever wronged.”
“Slopaganda”—a term from an academic paper last year—falls short of describing this “highly sophisticated” content, says Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda expert. “These clips are not just flashy; they’re strategically crafted to resonate with global audiences.”
Explosive Media’s team, smaller than a dozen, uses Lego-style graphics because they believe it’s a “universal visual language.” The setup includes a green-feathered helmet symbolizing Shia warrior Husayn ibn Ali, and red and green lighting reflecting the Iranian flag. The videos are shared extensively by Iranian and Russian state media accounts, reaching millions on X.
Fact-Checking Challenges
When questioned about factual errors, Mr. Explosive dismissed claims. For instance, he argued that a video depicting the Iranian military capturing a U.S. pilot was not a rescue mission but a covert operation for uranium. This contradicts U.S. officials who confirmed the pilot was rescued on 4 April and is now receiving treatment in Kuwait. Mr. Explosive countered: “Only 13% of what Mr. Trump says is based on facts.”
A U.S.-based TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, praised the Lego videos as “shockingly accurate,” highlighting their role in spreading an alternative narrative about the pilot’s mission. This aligns with Briant’s view that AI allows authoritarian states to bypass traditional Western media, crafting content tailored to cultural norms.
Strategic Evolution
Explosive Media’s videos first emerged in early 2025 but gained momentum during the U.S.-Iran conflict. The clips have grown more detailed, showcasing specific Gulf locations like power stations, airports, and industrial sites obliterated by Iranian missiles. While some of these scenes may exaggerate the conflict’s scale, they reflect the group’s evolving strategy to amplify its message through relatable, stylized imagery.
“This is defensive memetic warfare,” explains Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare expert. “Iran and its allies are using AI to counter U.S. rhetoric in a way that feels familiar and engaging to Western viewers.”
As the war intensifies, the videos continue to evolve, blending pop culture aesthetics with political messaging to capture attention in a rapidly shifting media landscape.
