Get you up to speed: US warns of new sanctions on countries engaging with Iran amid ongoing blockade
An Iranian minion blocked the Strait with a button, representing Iran’s control over the waterway. World leaders, including those from Qatar, the UAE, Britain, France, and Japan, began cheering on another floating piece of wood.
Dr Ian Garner highlighted the role of social media in modern propaganda, stating, “we’re now living in an era of truly global propaganda,” with Iran actively using it to disseminate its message. Meanwhile, the White House announced that any further negotiations between the United States and Iran would likely occur in Islamabad, pending a decision regarding their resumption.
Hopes have risen for a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, with discussions likely to take place in Islamabad, as Pakistan’s army chief met with Iran’s foreign minister. Additionally, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports has continued for a third day, and warnings of new economic sanctions on countries engaging in business with Iran have been issued by the Trump administration.
Trump is turned into a Minion in new video after Iran doubles down in AI meme war | News World
Showing a minion version of Trump floating on a piece of wood with an American flag, the cartoon says: ‘I’m going to count to three. When I open my eyes, the Strait must be open.’
Nothing happens, but on another floating piece of wood, minions meant to represent leaders from Qatar, the UAE, Britain, France and Japan begin cheering.
That is, until an Iranian minion pushes a red button and laughs as ‘caution’ tape drops over the Strait, representing the control Iran exerts over the waterway.
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World leaders on the other side of the Strait expressed frustration (Picture: Iranian Embassy)
An Iranian minion blocked the Strait with a button (Picture: Iranian Embassy)
AI has become a major part of the war in Iran – with both Iran and the President of the United States sharing bizarre images.
Propaganda expert and historian Dr Ian Garner told WTX: ‘These are interesting because we’re now living in an era of truly global propaganda, where a country like Iran can use social media and cheap technology available everywhere to flood our spaces and push propaganda to a wide audience—ultimately reaching the minds of viewers around the world.
‘The content, however, is equally interesting because it imitates the “slop propaganda” style associated with the Trump government. In a sense, Iran is not just engaging in a kinetic war with America; it is also engaging in a war of image and ideas.’
Dr Garner said at the same time, the ‘sloppiness’ of the cartoons undermines the severity of the war, turning it into a ‘dark joke’.
‘It makes the situation seem so absurd that the reality—people dying, bombs being dropped, the global economy being shaken—feels less significant,’ he said.
‘We move beyond arguments about politics into essentially unwinnable arguments. Who wins in a fight between a “real” Jesus and an AI-generated Donald Trump? Who wins in a fight involving minions from a Hollywood movie? It doesn’t matter. It’s just silliness,’ he added.
‘The act of spreading and discussing the propaganda becomes as important as any concrete reality that comes out of it.’
Trump shared a photo of Jesus Christ embracing him (Picture: Truth Social)
Trump hit back at his haters for portraying himself as Jesus – or as he claimed, a doctor – with yet another sacrilegious AI image.
The US President just couldn’t resist posting another AI slop photo despite the almighty furore over his last one.
His latest Truth Social post shows Jesus holding Trump from behind in a tender embrace as a star-spangled banner flaps in the wind.
Trump captioned the image: ‘The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT.’
The original post suffered a huge backlash with Truth Social followers calling him ‘the AntiChrist’ and accusing him of blasphemy.
One replied to the now deleted image: ‘The book of Revelations speaks of this, are you literally depicting yourself as a saviour or messiah? Just asking, as the Book of Revelations tells us the Antichrist will claim he is.’
Trump has been under fire from Christians for the image, as well as his battle with Pope Leo, after he said he ‘wasn’t doing a good job’.
Elsewhere, hopes have risen a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war as Pakistan’s army chief met in Tehran with Iran’s foreign minister.
The White House said any further talks would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports continued for a third day. The Trump administration warned of new economic sanctions on countries doing business with Iran, saying the Islamic Republic would feel the ‘financial equivalent’ of a bombing campaign.
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Interesting read, though I think there are some points that could have been explored further. Would love to see a follow-up on this topic.
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