Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland

The document details an Iranian-linked information operation, Storm-2035, that deployed four X accounts impersonating Northern Irish residents between August 2024 and February 2026. These accounts used AI-generated content and 'hashtag hijacking' to promote Irish reunification and narratives supportive of the Iranian regime and Palestine. Despite low engagement, the operation demonstrates Ireland's vulnerability to foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), particularly as it prepares for the EU presidency in 2026.

• Four X accounts attributed to the Iranian-linked operation Storm-2035 impersonated individuals from Belfast, Northern Ireland, starting in August 2024. These accounts claimed to be students, graduates, or advocates for a united Ireland, but profile data revealed they accessed the platform via VPNs in the Netherlands and were connected via Android apps in Iran or "Western Asia".
• The operation utilised generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to create content in English and Spanish. The accounts employed 'hashtag hijacking'—using popular but unrelated tags like #YaliCapkini (a Turkish drama)—to amplify their reach beyond their small follower bases.
• The accounts demonstrated high levels of coordination, posting near-identical content on specific dates. This included coordinated praise for assassinated Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and support for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as criticism of the US for sanctioning the International Criminal Court.
• Between 16 August 2024 and 4 February 2026, the accounts published 5,405 posts. Approximately 25% of the content focused on Ireland and Irish reunification, while nearly 50% focused on international topics concerning Palestine, Israel, and Iran.
• The operation co-opted legitimate Irish political figures and groups to gain credibility, frequently reposting content from Sinn Féin leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill, as well as the hip hop group Kneecap.
• Despite the effort, the operation had minimal impact, with each account gaining only around a hundred followers and achieving very low engagement on most posts.
• The operation's scope extended beyond Ireland; after January 2026, the accounts began supporting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, suggesting they were part of a broader international network. Some accounts later rebranded as Scottish independence activists based in Edinburgh.

APA

Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2026). Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/irish-unity-palestine-and-soleimani-analysis-of-an-iranian-information-operation-targeting-ireland/

Chicago

Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland. 2026. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/irish-unity-palestine-and-soleimani-analysis-of-an-iranian-information-operation-targeting-ireland/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |title=Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland |date=31 March 2026 |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/irish-unity-palestine-and-soleimani-analysis-of-an-iranian-information-operation-targeting-ireland/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforstrategicdialogue2026irish, author = {{Institute for Strategic Dialogue}}, title = {{Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland}}, institution = {Institute for Strategic Dialogue}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/irish-unity-palestine-and-soleimani-analysis-of-an-iranian-information-operation-targeting-ireland/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }