Iranian Influence Operation Suspected on TikTok Targeting Israelis
A TikTok account and associated social media profiles named 'Pers-Perspective,' featuring slickly produced videos in Hebrew from Iran, have garnered significant attention and millions of views. The accounts, active on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, present a Hebrew-speaking host broadcasting from Tehran, portraying life in Iran in a positive, abundant, and enticing light. This has raised strong suspicions among Israeli users that it is a planned influence and awareness campaign.
One viral video shows the host touring a luxury supermarket in Tehran, demonstrating what can be bought for just 200 shekels, implicitly comparing the cost of living to Israel. However, Israeli content creator Tal Shenhav and other users have issued stern warnings, calling the portrayal misleading and staged. They claim the featured supermarkets are linked to regime insiders and the Revolutionary Guard, while the general Iranian public suffers from poverty and a dual supply system.
Beyond the content, Israeli creators point to suspicious account management. The network of profiles was opened simultaneously across platforms, with location settings and VPN data suggesting management from countries like the UAE and Germany. Furthermore, the account began to specifically follow Israeli content creators who expose the Tehran regime's alleged crimes.
While official security agencies have not yet confirmed if this is a spy and propaganda network run by Iranian intelligence or a controversial private initiative, the Israeli internet community is urging users to be vigilant, report the accounts to the platforms, and demanding that intelligence and cyber agencies investigate the funding and production behind the videos.
