Summary
An online campaign about protests in Iran, using the hashtag #FreeThePersianPeople, was primarily driven by networks linked to Israel. Analysis showed that most of the posts lacked genuine interaction from within Iran, suggesting external influence. The campaign promoted Reza Pahlavi as a political alternative.
Key Facts
- The hashtag #FreeThePersianPeople became popular during recent protests in Iran.
- Most of the posts using the hashtag came from outside Iran, linked to Israeli or pro-Israel groups.
- The posts often repeated the idea of an imminent critical moment in Iranian history.
- Data showed 94% of 4,370 posts analyzed were retweets, not original posts.
- There were only about 170 original content creators, yet the reach was over 18 million users.
- This pattern aligns with a strategy called "astroturfing," where messages are falsely amplified to seem widely supported.
- The campaign highlighted Reza Pahlavi as the main political alternative in Iran.
- Some Israeli officials actively supported the message, calling for change in Iran.
