Report Exposes Iranian Social Media Manipulation
A recent study by Clemson University has revealed that numerous social media accounts linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are disseminating anti-Israel and anti-U.S. narratives, aiming to create discord amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.
According to the findings, platforms like X, Bluesky, and over 60 Instagram accounts were supposedly tied to the IRGC, presenting themselves as if they were based in North America, England, Scotland, or Ireland. Remarkably, many of these accounts are quite new, although a few date back to December 2023.
The report states, “These accounts consistently amplify politically polarizing content and misinformation that align with the Revolutionary Guards’ agenda, designed strategically to exploit regional tensions to benefit the Iranian regime.”
Interestingly, before the military actions from President Donald Trump and Israel against Iran, most discussions revolved around divisions within Iran itself. However, after a series of airstrikes on February 28, a noticeable shift toward pro-Tehran sentiment emerged, seemingly in favor of the Iranian government.
“What we’re seeing is a coordinated and deceptive social media initiative aimed at manipulating the online narrative regarding the conflict involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran,” the report observed.
The IRGC’s social media efforts have also employed AI-generated images and misleading video content to propagate false information regarding ongoing military actions.
“To protect genuine discussions, it’s crucial to continue monitoring communities particularly vulnerable to foreign manipulation, especially during global crises,” the report underscores.
In a response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, Bluesky confirmed that the accounts flagged in the report had been removed due to violations of their community standards.
A spokesperson for Meta reiterated their opposition to terrorist-related content, mentioning that a significant portion of the accounts referenced were inactive during the conflict, and those that remained had fewer than 2,000 followers collectively.
Meta’s stance was clear: “We prohibit individuals or organizations engaged in organized fraud and terrorism, and we swiftly remove any accounts violating these rules.”
Clemson University identified a total of 47 accounts on X, nine on Instagram, and five on Bluesky, all purportedly part of the IRGC’s network.
The findings highlighted that the X account alone had generated over 59,400 original posts, which were reshared extensively, resulting in substantial engagement that could have reached millions of users.
