AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe 12-day conflict was marked by a flurry of propaganda, disinformation and covert operations aided by artificial intelligence and spread by social media.Published July 15, 2025Updated July 16, 2025Open modal at item 1 of 4Open modal at item 2 of 4Open modal at item 3 of 4Open modal at item 4 of 4During last month’s war between Israel and Iran, the countries turned social media into a digital battlefield, using deception and falsehoods to try to sway the outcome.In the hours before Israeli forces bombed Evin prison in Iran’s capital on June 23, posts appeared on social media in Persian, foreshadowing the attack and urging Iranians to come free the prisoners.Moments after the bombs struck, a video appeared on X and Telegram, purporting to show a blast at an entrance to the prison, which is notorious for holding political prisoners. One post on X included a hashtag, in Persian: “#freeevin.”Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.Steven Lee Myers covers misinformation and disinformation from San Francisco. Since joining The Times in 1989, he has reported from around the world, including Moscow, Baghdad, Beijing and Seoul.Natan Odenheimer is a Times reporter in Jerusalem, covering Israeli and Palestinian affairs.A version of this article appears in print on July 16, 2025, Section B, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: In Mideast, The Warfare Goes Online. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | SubscribeRelated ContentAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT