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

We Spoke to the Creator of Viral Lego-Inspired AI Videos for Iran. Experts Call It a Strategic Propaganda Campaign

The AI videos circulating online resemble scenes from a Lego film, yet they carry a starkly different tone—more vivid and frenetic. Featuring dramatic depictions of children in distress, fighter jets, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, these clips are not mere entertainment but a potent tool for Iran’s messaging. In a BBC podcast episode, Top Comment, we spoke with a representative from Explosive Media, a key producer of such content. He requested to be known as Mr. Explosive, a social media strategist who initially denied any ties to the Iranian government. While past interviews highlighted the outlet’s “complete independence,” he later acknowledged the regime as a “customer,” a term he had not previously used publicly.

These videos frame Iran as a resilient force opposing the U.S., the perceived global hegemon. Their bold visuals and overt messaging have sparked widespread engagement, despite lacking subtlety. In one scene, Trump is shown tumbling through a storm of “Epstein file” documents as rap music declares, “the secrets are leaking, the pressure is rising.” Another clip features George Floyd beneath a police boot, accompanied by the caption: “Iran stands here for everyone your system ever wronged.” Dr. Emma Briant, a propaganda analyst, argues that the term “slopaganda” — coined in an academic paper as a play on “AI slop” — underestimates the impact of this “highly sophisticated” content, which has been viewed in the hundreds of millions.

During our video call, Mr. Explosive appeared in a shadowy setting, surrounded by red and green lights symbolizing the Iranian flag. A green-feathered helmet, linked to Shia warrior Husayn ibn Ali, sat on his desk. He explained that the team at Explosive Media, numbering fewer than ten, employs Lego-style graphics to ensure universal recognition, calling it a “world language.” Iranian and Russian state media frequently repurpose these clips, sharing them with millions of followers.

When asked about the Epstein files’ prominence, Mr. Explosive said the imagery highlights the “confrontation between Iran, seeking truth and freedom, and those who align with cannibals.” This refers to the controversial theory linking the Trump administration to cannibalism through the Epstein files, a claim with no solid evidence. The videos also contain factual errors—such as depicting the Iranian military capturing a downed U.S. pilot, while U.S. officials confirmed the airman was rescued by special forces on April 4. Mr. Explosive disputes this, suggesting the focus was on “stealing uranium from Iran” rather than a rescue mission.

Mr. Explosive claims only 13% of Trump’s statements are fact-based, a stance that fuels the alternative narrative. A U.S.-based TikTok creator, @newswithsteph, echoed this, calling the Lego videos “shockingly accurate” in presenting a mission as a “special ops uranium operation” instead of a rescue. Briant notes that AI allows Iran and allies to reach Western audiences more effectively, leveraging tools trained on Western data to craft “culturally appropriate” messages. Dr. Tine Munk, a cyber warfare expert, labels this as “defensive memetic warfare,” essential for countering U.S. narratives.

Explosive Media’s videos gained traction in early 2025 but surged in popularity during the US-Iran conflict. They now depict highly specific Gulf locations, such as power stations and airports, as entirely obliterated by Iranian missiles. While some details may be exaggerated, the combination of visual flair and strategic messaging has cemented their role in shaping global perceptions of the war.