Explosive Media, a small outfit of under ten creators, churns out vivid Lego‑styled AI videos that depict dying children, fighter jets and Donald Trump in lurid, anti‑US narratives. The clips, shared by Iranian and Russian state accounts, have amassed hundreds of millions of views since the US‑Iran conflict revived in early 2025.

Producers claim independence, yet a BBC interview with the self‑styled “Mr Explosive” confirms the Iranian regime pays for the content. He describes the aesthetic as a "world language" and points to the Iranian flag’s red and green lighting in his studio. Experts like Dr Emma Briant label the material "highly sophisticated" propaganda, noting its rapid production often precedes official announcements.

The videos blend conspiracy tropes—Epstein files, cannibalism allegations—and factual distortions, such as a false claim that a downed US pilot was rescued to steal uranium. Cyber‑warfare scholar Dr Tine Munk calls the approach "defensive memetic warfare," arguing AI tools trained on Western data let authoritarian actors bypass traditional media filters.

Platforms repeatedly suspend accounts, but new channels appear instantly, keeping the meme stream alive. The phenomenon illustrates how AI lowers barriers for state‑linked actors to shape Western perception, turning simple blocky graphics into a potent diplomatic weapon.