Pro-Iran propaganda networks have surged on social media platforms, particularly X, by spreading viral conspiracy theories linking Jeffrey Epstein to U.S. military actions against Iran.
In early March 2026, following U.S. and Israeli joint military strikes on Iranian targets, anonymous accounts aligned with Tehran’s interests pushed content claiming the operation served as a distraction from Epstein-related revelations. Accounts such as HDX News posted a grainy video purporting to show blindfolded young girls near an underwear-clad Donald Trump alongside Epstein. The post stated,
“This video is not fake,”
and claimed,
“These pedophile perverts started a war so that this wouldn’t be talked about.”
The post received over 6.8 million views on X.
- Another account, GPX News, shared the same debunked video and gained more than 4.7 million views.
- Researchers from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue identified these accounts as part of a network of at least 15 anonymous X profiles that consistently promote messaging supportive of Iran’s government while attacking the United States and Israel.
- The accounts repost each other’s content, creating coordinated amplification.
The core conspiracy theory asserts that President Trump ordered the strikes on Iran to suppress public discussion of his alleged ties to Epstein, as documented in recently released Epstein files. These files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice in tranches starting in late January 2026, include references to Epstein’s past associations, though no direct evidence supports claims of a deliberate war distraction. Pro-Iran accounts exploit this timing to frame the military action as corrupt self-preservation by powerful figures tied to pedophilia networks.
The strategy relies on sensational Epstein content to draw massive engagement before introducing pro-Tehran narratives. Bret Schafer, who leads U.S. research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, described the approach as straightforward: use viral Epstein material to attract viewers, then expose them to political propaganda aligned with Iran’s interests. This tactic has proven effective in reaching global audiences beyond Iran’s domestic sphere, where such content typically sees limited organic reach.
The surge coincides with broader disinformation waves tied to the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran, officially named Operation Epic Fury but rebranded online by extremists as “Operation Epstein Fury.” The ADL Center on Extremism tracked over 35,000 mentions of this phrase on X within hours of the strikes on February 28, 2026, expanding to more than 91,000 mentions from over 60,000 unique authors within 48 hours. These narratives portray the strikes as benefiting Israel at American expense, advancing antisemitic claims of Zionist control over U.S. policy, and linking supposed Jewish elites to child exploitation via Epstein.
Pro-Iran networks integrate these elements to criticize U.S. leadership and justify Iran’s position. Iranian state media and aligned outlets amplify similar messaging, portraying the conflict as driven by corrupt Western elites rather than legitimate security concerns. The Epstein angle provides a hook that resonates with existing conspiracy communities, allowing foreign influence operations to infiltrate mainstream discussions.
Fake media plays a central role. The viral Trump-Epstein video has been debunked as fabricated, likely AI-generated or edited, yet it continues to circulate through the network. Similar AI-generated images link Epstein to Israeli figures, including President Isaac Herzog, further fueling claims of Mossad involvement in Epstein’s activities. Researchers note that synthetic visuals spread faster than verification processes can counter them, eroding trust in factual reporting.
This activity fits established patterns of Iranian influence operations on social media. Networks use generic “news” handles to mask origins and evade platform moderation. They target divisive issues like Epstein’s case, which already generates high engagement due to public interest in elite accountability. The files themselves mention historical claims of Epstein’s involvement in arms sales to Iran during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, including alleged dealings with Chinese weapons via Norinco, as recounted by former associate Steven Hoffenberg. Some documents reference purported meetings with former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. These references, often unverified or denied by involved parties, get repurposed to suggest deeper Tehran connections, though they predate the current conflict by decades.
The timing exploits public frustration over perceived lack of transparency in the Epstein case. Interest in the files peaked in January and February 2026 but declined sharply after the Iran strikes began, according to analysts tracking search trends and online discussions. Pro-Iran accounts capitalize on this shift, redirecting attention toward anti-U.S. narratives under the guise of exposing corruption.
Western figures occasionally amplify aligned content. Candace Owens reposted an AI-generated image of Trump with Israel flags shortly after the strikes, captioning it
“Operation Epstein Fury fully explained”
and suggesting U.S. actions stem from external control. Such cross-pollination extends the reach of pro-Iran messaging into conservative and conspiracy-oriented audiences.
Platforms face ongoing challenges in containing coordinated inauthentic behavior. X’s transparency tools have exposed patterns in foreign-linked accounts, but rapid reposting and viral hooks outpace removals. The Epstein topic’s emotional weight—tied to child exploitation and elite impunity—ensures high visibility, making it an ideal vector for foreign propaganda.
These networks advance Iran’s strategic goals by undermining U.S. credibility, sowing division, and portraying military actions as morally bankrupt. The combination of fabricated videos, conspiracy framing, and coordinated amplification demonstrates sophisticated exploitation of social media dynamics.
Pro-Iran propaganda networks continue to weaponize Epstein conspiracy theories to erode trust in U.S. leadership and justify Iran’s stance in the conflict.
