We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
We Spoke to the Creator Behind AI Videos Fueling Iran’s Propaganda Campaign
These videos, crafted with the unmistakable charm of Lego animations, appear deceptively playful at first. Yet, beneath their vibrant, dynamic visuals lies a potent message promoting Iran’s stance against the United States. The clips, which have gained massive traction online, depict dramatic scenes featuring Trump, Floyd, and scenes of conflict, all while subtly advancing the regime’s narrative.
Mr. Explosive: A Social Media Strategist with Hidden Allegiances
For the BBC podcast Top Comment, we interviewed a representative of Explosive Media, the production team behind these trending clips. He requested to be called Mr. Explosive, a self-proclaimed master of digital outreach. Initially, he denied direct ties to the Iranian government, but later admitted the country is a “customer” of their work—something he had never publicly acknowledged before.
“Possibly there was no lost pilot, there was no rescue operation. Their main goal was to steal uranium from Iran.”
His team, composed of fewer than ten members, employs Lego-style graphics to ensure their content resonates globally. “It’s a world language,” he explained, emphasizing the visual appeal that transcends cultural barriers. The Iranian and Russian state media accounts on X frequently share these videos, amplifying their reach to millions of followers.
Propaganda in Pixelated Form
Dr. Emma Briant, an expert in propaganda, argues that the term “slopaganda”—a playful twist on “AI slop” from an academic paper—underestimates the impact of these videos. They are described as “highly sophisticated,” with views in the hundreds of millions during the ongoing conflict. One clip shows Trump tumbling through a storm of “Epstein file” papers, accompanied by rap lyrics about secrets leaking and pressure rising. Another features George Floyd under a policeman’s boot, with narration framing Iran as a champion of justice against U.S. systems.
“Only 13% of what Mr. Trump says is based on facts.”
Mr. Explosive claimed the videos highlight “the kind of confrontation they are witnessing” between Iran, which he portrays as “seeking truth and freedom,” and “those who associate themselves with cannibals.” This refers to the theory linking the Trump administration to cannibalism via the Epstein files, despite lacking credible evidence. Factual errors also appear, such as a video showing an Iranian military capturing a downed U.S. pilot. However, U.S. officials confirmed the pilot was rescued by special forces on April 4, a detail Mr. Explosive disputes.
Evolution of the Campaign
Explosive Media’s videos emerged in early 2025, but their influence surged after the U.S.-Iran war escalated. The clips now include hyper-detailed scenes of Gulf locations—power stations, airports, and industrial sites—being obliterated by Iranian missiles. Such specificity has made them more engaging, even as they blur the line between fiction and reality.
Experts note that Iran is leveraging AI tools trained on Western data to craft content that feels culturally relevant. This allows authoritarian states to connect with global audiences more effectively than in the past. Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare specialist, describes the tactics as “defensive memetic warfare,” a necessary response to U.S. narratives dominating digital spaces.
