We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda

We Spoke to the Man Behind the Viral Lego-Style AI Videos for Iran

At first glance, these AI-generated clips resemble scenes from a Lego film—though more intense and dynamic. Featuring dying children, fighter jets, and US President Donald Trump, they are not mere entertainment but pro-Iranian propaganda. For the BBC podcast *Top Comment*, we interviewed a representative from Explosive Media, one of the key accounts producing such content. He requested to be called Mr. Explosive, a social media strategist who initially denied ties to the Iranian government. While the outlet has previously claimed independence, further questions revealed Iran as a “customer,” a designation he had not publicly confirmed before.

The Message: Iran vs. the Global Oppressor

The videos’ central theme is Iran’s resistance to what it frames as US domination. Though their style is flashy and unsubtle, this hasn’t dampened their shareability. In one clip, Donald Trump is depicted plummeting through a storm of “Epstein file” documents as rap lyrics declare, “the secrets are leaking, the pressure is rising.” Another shows George Floyd under a police boot, accompanied by the line, “Iran is standing here for everyone your system ever wronged.”

“Slopaganda”—a term coined in an academic paper last year—falls short of describing the potency of this ‘highly sophisticated’ content,” says Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda expert. “It’s not just flashy; it’s a tool for shaping narratives.”

Explosive Media’s team, fewer than ten members, uses Lego-style graphics “because it’s a universal language,” as Mr. Explosive explained. The videos are widely shared by Iranian and Russian state media on X, reaching millions. When asked about the Epstein files’ prominence, he linked it to the idea of showcasing “the confrontation between Iran—seeking truth and freedom—and those who align with cannibals.” This references the unproven theory connecting the Trump administration to cannibalism.

Mr. Explosive also defends the videos’ factual claims, despite discrepancies. In one clip, Iranian forces are shown capturing a US pilot, but US officials confirmed the airman was rescued by special forces on 4 April and is now in Kuwait. He disputes this, stating, “Possibly there was no lost pilot, no rescue. Their main goal was to steal uranium from Iran.” When pressed about the Kuwait claim, he retorts, “Only 13% of what Mr. Trump says is based on facts.”

These clips have amplified alternative narratives among English-speaking audiences. A US-based TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, praised the videos as “shockingly accurate,” asserting they revealed a recent US pilot mission as a “special ops mission for uranium” rather than a rescue. With AI tools trained on Western data, Iran and allies now craft content tailored to Western tastes, a tactic Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare expert, calls “defensive memetic warfare.”

Evolution of the Visual Narrative

Explosive Media’s videos first emerged in early 2025, but their popularity surged during the US-Iran war. The clips have grown more intricate, highlighting Gulf power stations, airports, and industrial sites obliterated by Iranian missiles. While some locations were indeed targeted, the videos often exaggerate damage to emphasize Iran’s strategic impact. As the war continues, these AI-driven narratives become increasingly detailed, blending viral aesthetics with strategic messaging.