Europol has dismantled a sprawling digital propaganda network operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), removing over 14,200 online accounts, posts, and links across 19 countries. The operation, conducted by the agency's EU Internet Referral Unit between 13 February and 28 April, also led to the restriction of the IRGC's main X account, which had amassed more than 150,000 followers.
The crackdown follows the European Union's formal designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation on 19 February, a move that gave law enforcement agencies across the bloc the legal basis to target the group's online infrastructure. Investigators described a highly structured digital network spanning major social media platforms, streaming services, blog-hosting sites, and independent websites, with content distributed in Arabic, English, French, Persian, Spanish, and Bahasa Indonesia.
AI-Generated Propaganda and Cryptocurrency Financing
Material identified during the operation included political messaging intertwined with religious martyrdom narratives, as well as AI-generated videos praising the IRGC and calling for retaliation in the name of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Europol said in a statement on Monday that the IRGC used hosting providers spread across multiple jurisdictions, including Russia and the United States, to keep websites operational despite enforcement efforts.
Investigators also found evidence that cryptocurrency was used to finance the digital operations, allowing the network to circumvent traditional financial controls and international sanctions. This method of funding mirrors tactics seen in other illicit online networks, highlighting the growing challenge for European authorities in tracking cross-border digital finance.
The operation involved law enforcement authorities from 19 countries, including EU member states as well as partners such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Norway. Europol emphasised that cooperation with technology companies and member states would continue as part of its broader ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy.
Further details on the methods and tactics uncovered are expected to appear in Europol's upcoming EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report. The agency's action underscores the EU's increasing focus on countering online radicalisation and foreign interference, a priority that has gained urgency amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
While the IRGC's digital network has been significantly disrupted, experts caution that such operations often lead to the group adapting its tactics. The EU's ability to sustain pressure will depend on continued coordination among member states and with tech platforms, as well as on the agility of legal frameworks to keep pace with evolving digital threats.
