Meta Disrupts Iran-Linked Instagram Influence Operation Targeting U.S. Users

Summary

Meta said it disrupted an Iran-linked influence operation that used fake Instagram personas and amplifying accounts to target English-speaking U.S. users with political messaging. It removed about 300 accounts and pages.

Key points

Meta attributed the operation to Iran and said it used Instagram accounts posing as journalists, commentators, activists, and ordinary people.
The personas used detailed backstories and AI-generated profile photos to build credibility before introducing political messaging.
A second layer of accounts amplified posts and helped create the appearance of grassroots media brands.
The operation targeted English-speaking U.S. audiences with content critical of Israel and U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Meta said it removed about 300 accounts and pages across Facebook and Instagram; about 41,000 accounts followed the Instagram personas, which received minimal engagement from real users.
Meta said the activity began on X in 2024, expanded to Facebook and Instagram in summer 2025, and was detected and disrupted through coordinated behavior and links to previously identified Iranian influence operations.

Article Details

Event Type: Disruption of an Iran-linked influence operation
Impact: Meta said it removed about 300 accounts and pages across Facebook and Instagram. The Instagram personas had about 41,000 followers but received minimal engagement from real users. The operation primarily targeted English-speaking U.S. audiences with content critical of Israel and U.S. Middle East policy.