Regime supporters and opposition share AI-generated images of Khamenei’s funeral

In early July, pro-regime Iranians flocked to see the body of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lying in state. Khamenei was killed on February 28 during the first days of a US-Israeli bombing campaign on Iran. Authorities said several million people attended the funeral, but these figures cannot be independently verified. While many indeed attended, as shown by international media photos, fake images have also spread online.

AI-generated video of a massive crowd at the Grand Mosalla Mosque

A social media user who often expresses support for the Iranian regime posted a video on July 4 showing an enormous crowd at the Grand Mosalla Mosque in Tehran, where the leader's body lay. The video garnered over 370,000 views on X. However, it was AI-generated. Compared to a video filmed by FRANCE 24 on the same day, several differences emerge: in the AI version, the dome is beige instead of blue, and a large arch between the minarets is missing.

Fake image of a crowd at Azadi Tower

Other pro-Khamenei users shared an image claiming to show the funeral crowd gathered in front of Azadi Tower, another key Tehran monument. The image got over 100,000 views across X posts and was picked up by African media. It was also AI-generated, as detected by SynthID, ChatGPT’s AI detection tool. Comparing it with a satellite image from July 6 reveals that the AI image includes two rows of trees and buildings that do not actually exist there.

Fake interview with dissident rapper

Opposition supporters of Reza Pahlavi spread an image appearing to show rapper Toomaj Salehi, a dissident, being interviewed by Fars, a news agency close to the regime. In the image, Salehi holds an Iranian flag, suggesting he betrayed the opposition. This image was also AI-generated, and the text on the microphone is illegible—a telltale sign of AI. The post may reflect splits within the Iranian opposition between pro- and anti-Pahlavi factions.