In a provocative escalation of the ongoing psychological warfare between Tehran and Washington, Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari issued a "blistering" video message on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Addressing U.S. forces directly, Zolfaghari claimed that the Pentagon is suppressing true casualty figures to prevent a total collapse of morale.
“If your criminal army reveals the true number of dead and wounded, it will shatter the order of your cowardly and panicked army,” Zolfaghari asserted.
The message, which quickly went viral with over 14,000 likes, mocks the American approach to the conflict that erupted earlier this month.
Zolfaghari dismissed U.S. tactical maneuvers as mere performance, stating, “You have confused this war with Hollywood movies.”_ _
This rhetoric appears designed to erode U.S. resolve while bolstering domestic Iranian morale amidst the most significant military confrontation between the two nations in decades.
The conflict currently stands as a primary theater for "disinformation and digital skirmishes."
Its primary mandate involves the stark contrast between official reports: the U.S. has confirmed 7 service member deaths, while Iran’s unverified claims suggest the number exceeds 500.
The propaganda effort will also absorb and expand upon the viral discourse currently shaping public perception.
A critical component of the "information war" involves the use of social media to cast doubt on government transparency.
One analyst noted that the spokesperson's comments target the "cowardly and panicked" nature of modern asymmetric warfare, where the battle for the narrative is as vital as the battle on the ground.
One of the most immediate challenges for the U.S. Department of Defense is countering these "phantom casualty" narratives.
Military experts cited the “Hollywood” comparison as a classic propaganda tool intended to portray U.S. technological superiority as “fragile and performative.”
“It’s a scream of panic disguised as a joke,”** one observer remarked, echoing the sentiment that the high-stakes rhetoric is meant to distract from actual battlefield positioning.
The establishment of this new "verbal offensive" follows weeks of drone strikes and naval standoffs in the Middle East.
While the specific troop movements remain classified, the emphasis remains on protecting the "home front" from “social media brainrot” and unverified reports.
Director-level intelligence officials pledged to ensure that "hidden battle losses" remain a subject of strict verification.
As Zolfaghari’s message continues to circulate, the question remains: “How far can this shift in the information war go?”, a concern for many watching the rapid escalation of the March 2026 crisis.