Former US Nurse Creates Pro-Iranian AI Lego Propaganda Videos Targeting US Officials

Mahdi Hemmat, a former neonatal nurse from Milwaukee, is behind a series of AI-generated Lego-style propaganda videos supporting Iran and mocking the United States. Hemmat, 37, who worked at Aurora Sinai Medical Center until March 2025, describes himself as a "Lego journalist" covering the "information war, brick by brick." He operates the Instagram and TikTok account @persiaboihemmat, which has nearly 160,000 followers.

The videos, which have been released almost daily amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US, depict scenes such as the White House burning and celebrate the death of pro-Israel Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. One recent video threatened conservative activist Laura Loomer with sniper crosshairs on her head, prompting her to increase her personal security after receiving threats. The video appeared after protesters at the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei held signs targeting Loomer.

Hemmat has openly taken responsibility for the videos in an April interview with Russian channel RT, praising Iran's social media strategy and describing the US as a "rogue terror state." He claimed the content undermines the public image of former President Donald Trump and called the videos viral and impactful despite their low production cost. Some videos show Iranian forces attacking US bases and American troops fleeing, reinforcing Iranian claims of military successes.

Hemmat is reportedly linked to Tehran-based media collective Explosive Media, which produces similar AI propaganda. A Canadian Foreign Ministry report noted that one contributor to the group was involved in the 2024 Iranian election campaign of candidate Saeed Jalili. The report also stated that Lego-style propaganda videos garnered 83 million interactions in the first month of the Iran-Israel conflict.

Aurora Medical Center confirmed Hemmat has not been employed there since March 2025. Attempts to reach Hemmat for comment were unsuccessful. The videos continue to circulate amid ongoing US-Iran hostilities, reflecting a new front in information warfare.