The image circulating in several media outlets and used as the profile picture of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on X has reportedly been manipulated using artificial intelligence, according to verification experts.
BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh said analysis tools detected Google’s SynthID watermark, indicating the image was edited with AI tools. The picture appears to be based on an older photograph of Mojtaba Khamenei at a pro-government rally, which was digitally altered with the background and surrounding individuals removed.
Experts say the edited image was likely repurposed and modified to present a new official portrait after Khamenei assumed leadership following the death of his father.
The discovery comes as Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being appointed Iran’s new Supreme Leader, fueling speculation about his condition and whereabouts during the ongoing conflict.
Analysts note that AI-altered images and misinformation have become increasingly common during the current regional war, making verification of visual content especially important as information spreads rapidly across social media platforms.
