Iran targets US with psychological warfare campaign to manipulate Americans, embarrass Trump: experts

Iran Targets U.S. with Psychological Warfare: Experts Warn

Iran targets US with psychological warfare - Iran is using psychological warfare tactics to influence American public opinion, according to experts. The Islamic Republic has intensified its digital campaigns to shape narratives and challenge U.S. policies, particularly those under the Trump administration. By leveraging social media, Iran aims to manipulate public sentiment and undermine the credibility of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Analysts suggest that this strategy is part of a broader effort to counter Western narratives and assert Iran’s geopolitical influence through psychological means.

Adapting to Leadership Changes

The campaign has gained momentum after U.S. strikes in February, which targeted key Iranian leaders and weakened their conventional authority. With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei surviving the attack but facing a leadership vacuum, Iran shifted its focus to online platforms to maintain control over its messaging. Experts note that this digital approach is designed to align with global anti-American sentiment and reinforce Iran’s legitimacy in the eyes of its audience. The coordination among Iranian officials in their online posts highlights a centralized effort to project a unified front.

"Iran’s leadership now relies heavily on social media because it can no longer dominate through traditional means," said Dr. Omar Mohammed, a counterterrorism expert. "The regime has moved its legitimacy contest onto platforms, and once you are fighting there, you optimize for it."

Mohammed emphasized that the Iranian government is adapting to the pressure of its weakened leadership by centralizing its messaging operations. "They produce English, screenshot-ready lines, memeable contempt, and civilizational pride," he explained. "This is an influence operation forced by the fact that the men running Iran can no longer appear in person."

Exploiting U.S. Divisions

Iran’s digital campaign is designed to exploit divisions within the United States, especially around foreign policy. Since Trump announced a new peace agreement in June, the regime has intensified its attacks on the deal, targeting its perceived weaknesses. By contrasting Trump’s rhetoric with Iran’s own, the campaign seeks to sow doubt about U.S. commitments and highlight the country’s geopolitical vulnerabilities. Experts suggest this strategy plays into the U.S. being seen as a fragmented entity, with multiple power centers that Iran can manipulate.

"Tehran is not aiming at the United States as a single entity," Mohammed added. "It reads Washington as two power centers and pitches to both — working to embarrass the deal the president owns while speaking the language of multipolarity back to the worldview it attributes to the vice president."

These coordinated messages are crafted to resonate with American audiences, particularly those critical of Trump’s policies. The focus on sarcasm and direct critiques, such as mocking the benefits of unfrozen Iranian assets, underscores Iran’s goal of undermining the administration’s narrative. By using social media as a tool, Iran aims to create a lasting impact on public perception, even as its leadership faces challenges.

Strategies to Undermine U.S. Credibility

Iran’s psychological warfare efforts include strategic targeting of U.S. leaders and policies. For instance, when Trump highlighted the agricultural benefits of unfrozen Iranian assets, Iranian officials responded with sharp, sarcastic critiques. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a key negotiator, used social media to challenge the claim, suggesting the U.S. had sown decades of mistrust. This approach is part of a broader strategy to question the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy and cast doubt on the Trump administration’s achievements.

"America falsely claims our unfrozen assets will buy their agriculture. Interesting. The only crop we're harvesting is what you planted: decades of mistrust," Ghalibaf wrote.

Such tactics are not only aimed at Trump but also at shaping public opinion about the entire U.S. approach to international relations. By emphasizing sarcasm and civilizational pride, Iran seeks to position itself as a formidable counterforce to American influence, even in the face of leadership instability.

Contrasting Digital Campaigns

Analysts highlight a key difference between Trump’s public engagement and Iran’s social media operations. While Trump’s posts are personal and direct, Iran’s messages are carefully orchestrated to maintain a consistent narrative. "The Iranian accounts are the reverse of Trump’s style," Mohammed remarked. "They come from an institution manufacturing a public presence for a leadership that can no longer appear in person."

Despite this, the effectiveness of Iran’s psychological warfare tactics remains a subject of debate. Some argue that the strategic use of social media has allowed Iran to reach a wider audience and amplify its message. Others caution that while the campaigns are well-organized, their long-term impact depends on the ability to resonate with American public sentiment.