The Security Blog

We were going to not continue discussing this subject, but so many readers asked questions, that here is today’s entry.  Today Will show and discuss a purposeful disinformation campaign, carried out, presumably, by the government of Iran.

We chose to show you the shenanigans of a tweeter user by the "cute" nickname of EyeRan.  Some of EyeRan’s info that ought to ring a warning bell to other users is:

1. He does not follow anyone;
2. As of the time of this writing, he is less than a day old;
3. He has over 100 "tweets" in the last 24 hours (which is a data point that could also indicate a spammer); and the big one:
4. All of his quotes, as you would see from samples below, are decidedly twisted and phrased carefully.

So, without further a-do, let’s explore some of his … propaganda:

sent just before 7am, Sunday, June 21

#Iranselection Staying home tomorrow to avoid angering my elected govt

- Intended to discourge particpation in rallies

right around the same time…

#Iranelection Do Not Go Out In The Streets and Die! The Zionists are brainwashing you!

- scaring people and, of course, blaming the Jews

#Iranelection Tweeter,Amerikans interfering in internal affairs of Republic of Iran. Many hurt because of this

- with wonderful spelling, blaming the USA

#iranelection Go To Work Today. Staying home is a criminal act

-again, scare tactics

#iranelection RT: Hospitals and Embassies are not safe havens

- Intended to lay despair among the protesters’ ranks.

#iranelection Police who support the illegal protests are commiting acts of crime

o.O – signs of cracks in the armor?

Then, exactly 12 hours later:

#iranelections The Capital is calm, protected by thousands of patriots. Hooligans stay in hidinhg

– Interesting to note: the term Hooligan is a Russian, Soviet, term.  This apparent lie is again aimed at despairing people.

and

#Iranelection Mousavi the Instigator is in custody

- to sow despair

#iranelection The Americns corrupted Iraq and now they try here!

- to try and use popular sentiment to gather support

A bit later, after the graphic videos and death of Neda, trying to use that horrible event, to their own purposes:

#Iranelection Mousavi will be charged with the death of Neds

and

#Iranelection CNN is speaking truth for once. It’s over!

-can you say "despair"?

And now, believing it is time for threats:

#Iranelection Antagonists on tweeter should face the justice of Iran too. They’re responsible for the suffering!

One of our "favorite" examples is

#iranelection Twitter has been an invaluable ally of the Police and Basij

- Intended to reduce the number of Tweeter users, and scare them into submission.

Two hours later:

#iranelection Instigating foreign meddling journalists will be arrested too!

- aimed at the media, with the emphasis on Foreign, suggesting meddeling in Iranian affairs

and

#Iranelection All foreign journalists must leave Tehran in 24 hours by decree of government

Casting blame and doubt on other users:

#Iranelection Ardeshir_21 MikeFennelly MClem1 Restlessrecords are all CIA agents trying to launch coup in Iran from Twitter

In a (desperate) attempt to blame the protesters for deaths:

#iranelection Rubber bullets not live ones. Hooligans are beating and murdering each other, blaming their government

One cannot avoid recalling memories of the book 1984 when seeing the following, all "pink-floyd-ish" statement:

#Iranelection Helicopters patrolling Tehran. Our guardians in the sky

Things get a bit hairier a few hours later.  On June 22, at 2 am:

#iranelection Revolution square under the protection of the IRGC Select Parliament members being taken into protective custody

- We all know that "protective custody" is a euphemism to "being arrested" in countries such as Iran.  This is meant, apparently, to answer "why?" questions from the public.

And now,some LOL moments due to "slip-ups":

Iran Hooligan round up continues throughout Tehran. Order is being restored

- Really?  Didn’t you say a day ago that order was already there?

and

#iranelection Mousavi in protective custody. Tehran University under protection of the Basji

- Really?  Didn’t you say he was arrested and a traitor?

Words of defiance:

#iranelection Western influence the past weeks shows our need for nuclear protection

Warnings sent to the future:

#iranelection Cars shining headlights during daylight hours will be stopped, driver and occupants arrested

- aimed at the knowledge that the protesters asked for lights-on during daylights

and

#iranelection Absence from work tomorrow will label you as a potential subversive

- aimed at the call for a strike

And, just disgusting (please do not read if queasy):

#neda #Iran #iranelection Neda is servicing Mohammed at this moment

Our guess this is aimed either (a) at showing the faithful that she was awarded her "martyrdom" or (b) taunting the protesters, especially in a country where sex and female taboos are prevalent.

Either way: ewwwwwwwwww.

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