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Pro-Indy Accounts Vanish After Iran Strikes: Coincidence or Cyberattack?

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26
Jun

Edinburgh, Scotland – A digital mystery has unfolded following recent Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure. Dozens of social media accounts known for their vocal support of Scottish independence have gone silent, raising questions about foreign interference and online influence campaigns.

On June 12, 2025, a wave of pro-independence voices on X (formerly Twitter) ceased activity. These accounts, often characterized by pro-Scottish independence slogans, anti-UK rhetoric, and identifiers like “NHS nurse” or “Glaswegian socialist,” had been prolific posters. The silence occurred the same day as a significant Israeli airstrike campaign targeting Iranian military and cyber assets.

Initially dismissed as a strange coincidence, the sudden disappearance is now viewed as a potential disruption of a foreign influence operation, with fingers pointing towards Tehran.

Social media user @themajorityscot first noticed the anomaly, tweeting:

Another user, @scotfax, echoed the sentiment:

Open-source intelligence researcher Charles, who operates under a pseudonym, stated, “The timing, posting patterns, and network structure all point in one direction…coordinated accounts posting at regular intervals, linguistic and thematic uniformity across profiles, and sudden synchronous silence.” Charles believes the accounts were likely controlled via Iranian VPNs or proxy access platforms, which were disrupted by the Israeli strikes.

Iran’s Asymmetric Warfare: Online Influence

Experts suggest Iran employs online influence as a cost-effective method to shape perceptions and exploit political divisions in adversarial nations. The UK, viewed by Tehran as a historic antagonist, has long been a target.

Past efforts include the creation of Facebook pages like “The Scotsman Cartoon” before the 2014 independence referendum, which aimed to portray the then-Prime Minister as authoritarian. Iran’s English-language outlet, Press TV, has also framed Scottish independence as an anti-imperialist movement.

Between 2022 and 2024, Iranian-linked activity increased via fake X accounts. Clemson University researchers identified over 80 accounts posing as socially conscious British users, likely operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These accounts generated around 250,000 tweets, blending pro-independence messages with criticism of the UK government and anti-monarchy sentiments.

Professor Darren Linvill from Clemson University noted the goal was to amplify the perception of support for independence. The network accounted for approximately 4% of all Scottish independence-related discussion on X in early 2024, exceeding the official SNP account’s activity.

The Digital Blackout

The disappearance of these accounts coincided with Israeli strikes targeting IRGC infrastructure linked to electronic warfare and cyber operations. Iran experienced widespread blackouts, fuel shortages, and internet disruptions, with connectivity dropping to less than 5% of normal levels.

The sudden silence suggests these pro-independence accounts relied on infrastructure within Iran. The loss of electricity, bandwidth, or secure communications could have rendered them inoperable.

Important Note: This article focuses on documented attempts by Iranian-linked actors to exploit political movements in the UK. It does not claim that support for Scottish independence is a foreign plot or suggest that genuine activists are inauthentic.

Sources for this report include a 2024 Clemson University study identifying over 80 fake X accounts linked to the IRGC. Readers are encouraged to review the primary sources for further information.

Ngoc Vy

Ngoc Vy is a tech journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and their societal impact. She combines technical rigor with on-the-ground coverage of Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, from AI ethics debates to gov-tech adoption. Ngoc Vy is also passionate about bridging the gender gap in STEM journalism.