The Deepfake War: Disinformation and the Conflict Between the U.S., Israel and Iran
The ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has been accompanied by a surge in disinformation, specifically in the form of deepfakes. Within the first two weeks of the conflict, a “torrent of fake videos and images generated by artificial intelligence” flooded social media platforms, according to The New York Times. These deepfakes, circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, aim to influence perceptions of the war both domestically and internationally.
The Rise of AI-Generated Disinformation
The deepfakes depict a range of scenarios, including fabricated explosions in Tel Aviv, purported successful missile attacks on U.S. Warships, and staged reactions from Israelis. Some videos are highly polished, mimicking Hollywood-style productions, even as others are more subtle. Notably, a deepfake video circulated depicting scenes of girls playing before a U.S. Strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school, an event that tragically resulted in at least 175 deaths, most of them children. While the attack itself was real, the accompanying video was fabricated.
Iran’s Role in the Deepfake Campaign
A report by Cyabra, a company specializing in tracking influence campaigns, identifies Iran as the primary source of this deepfake effort. Newsweek reports that the intent behind these deepfakes is to sway public opinion, both within Iran and abroad, by creating the impression that Iran is effectively retaliating against its adversaries and undermining the legitimacy of U.S. And Israeli operations.
A Pattern of Disinformation in Conflict
The use of deepfakes in wartime is not a new phenomenon. Similar instances were observed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, with deepfakes depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging his troops to surrender. During the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023, deepfake videos featuring crying babies in rubble and fabricated Israeli military operations also emerged. A TIME report highlights that a previous conflict between Iran and Israel in June also led to a surge in disinformation.
Iran’s Cyber Capabilities and Influence Operations
Iran has a history of cyber-influence operations. The Handala hacking group, also known as Void Manticore, reportedly linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, has been implicated in compromising networks in Israel, the U.S., and allied nations. This group has also been accused of creating deepfakes of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Motivations Behind Iran’s Disinformation Campaign
Tehran’s disinformation campaign appears to serve multiple objectives. First, it aims to bolster domestic morale amidst economic challenges and recent protests. Second, it seeks to garner international support by portraying Iran as a resilient force resisting aggression. Third, it intends to undermine the morale of U.S. And Israeli populations, potentially increasing pressure on their governments to de-escalate the conflict.
The Challenges of Combating Deepfakes
Responding to deepfakes requires a coordinated effort between governments and private companies to detect, debunk, and remove them. Yet, the rapid proliferation of deepfake generation tools – with platforms like Hugging Face hosting tens of thousands of models – presents a significant challenge. While U.S. Government agencies are investing in deepfake detection technology, they have struggled to keep pace with the growing threat. Social media companies, which control the infrastructure hosting these deepfakes, often prioritize regulatory compliance over actively combating disinformation.
The Need for Collaboration and Proactive Measures
Addressing the deepfake threat requires increased collaboration between governments, technology companies, and academic institutions. Sharing information and resources is crucial, as is continued investment in deepfake detection technology. However, even with improved detection methods, decision-makers must acknowledge that deepfakes will inevitably shape perceptions of conflict, requiring them to make decisions with incomplete information.
The current conflict underscores the growing importance of narrative control in modern warfare. As generative AI tools become more accessible, the ability to shape perceptions of the battlefield – and to distinguish truth from fabrication – will be as critical as the fighting itself.