AI-generated images of Khamenei's funeral shared by supporters and opposition in July 2026

Supporters of the Iranian regime and opposition members have circulated AI-generated images of the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, held on July 4, 2026, following his death during a US-Israeli strike on February 28. The funeral reportedly attracted millions, though attendance figures remain unverified.

AI-generated images of Khamenei's funeral

On July 4, 2026, pro-regime users shared videos and images claiming to depict the massive crowds at Khamenei’s funeral. However, many of these visuals were generated by AI, misleading viewers about the actual events.

One prominent video showed a large crowd at the Grand Mosalla Mosque, garnering over 370,000 views. Despite its realistic appearance, discrepancies like the dome's color and missing architectural features indicated it was AI-generated.

Misleading visuals from social media

Another image claimed to show attendees at the Azadi Tower, receiving more than 100,000 views across various posts. SynthID, a tool for detecting AI images, confirmed the image's AI origins, revealing it contained a watermark from ChatGPT's generator.

Key differences between the AI-generated image and a satellite image of Azadi Square included the presence of non-existent trees and buildings, further emphasizing the misleading nature of the visuals shared online.

Controversial depiction of dissident rapper

Members of the opposition also shared an AI-generated image of rapper Toomaj Salehi, suggesting he attended Khamenei's funeral while carrying the Islamic Republic's flag. This image attracted over 234,000 views and sparked debate within the opposition regarding Salehi's alleged betrayal.

Analysis using SynthID showed the image was not authentic, with the microphone's illegible text serving as a clue to its AI generation. The controversy surrounding this image highlights divisions within the Iranian opposition regarding support for Reza Pahlavi, the late Shah's son.