Iran-based influence operation used ChatGPT to place ~100 articles under fake journalist identities across Western outlets

OpenAI disclosed that it blocked accounts linked to an Iran-based network that used its models to produce nearly 100 articles published under fictitious bylines across more than a dozen English-language websites. The operators fed ChatGPT instructions in Persian to polish articles, adapt them to individual publication submission guidelines, draft cover letters to editors, and generate full biographies for invented freelance writers. Seven Western personas were created, including "Noah Lamington," "Erwin Hawkins," and "Sofia Gonzalez." The activity dates to July 2025.

The targeted outlets ranged from niche policy journals to platforms with substantial audiences. London-based Middle East Monitor, with nearly two million Facebook followers, published at least 21 articles under four bylines OpenAI identified as fictitious. Daily Kos's unmoderated community section also carried material. Beyond articles, the network used ChatGPT to generate batches of social media comments framing the US as an aggressor, Israel as an unreliable ally, and Iran as a victim, and produced hostile reply campaigns targeting Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster critical of Tehran.