Hackers briefly seized control of the Instagram account belonging to John Bentivegna, the highest-ranking enlisted member of the U.S. Space Force, and used it to distribute pro-Iranian and anti-American propaganda content, highlighting the growing cyber and information warfare campaigns surrounding the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
The breach occurred Sunday and resulted in several propaganda videos being posted to Bentivegna’s account before authorities moved to regain control.
One of the videos reportedly featured audio from “Hanoi Hannah,” the notorious North Vietnamese radio broadcaster who sought to undermine American troop morale during the Vietnam War. The recording urged U.S. service members to “leave a sinking ship” and was accompanied by images of Ali Larijani, who was killed during the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
In a message posted on Facebook later that evening, Bentivegna warned military personnel and followers not to interact with any content published through the compromised account.
“We are working with the appropriate teams to regain access and resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” Bentivegna stated.
A spokesperson for the United States Space Force confirmed the cyber intrusion but declined to provide details regarding how long the unauthorized content remained online or who may have been responsible.
The incident underscores increasing concerns among U.S. military leaders about cyber threats targeting service members and government officials during the conflict with Iran.
The Space Force has played a significant role in military operations against Iran. According to Dan Caine, the service contributed “non-kinetic effects” that disrupted Iranian defensive capabilities during U.S. military strikes launched on February 28.
Military officials have repeatedly cautioned personnel that adversaries may attempt to exploit social media accounts, smartphones, and digital platforms to gather intelligence or conduct influence operations.
Recently, United States Central Command informed lawmakers that it had received multiple reports suggesting adversaries were exploiting commercial location-tracking data to monitor or potentially target American personnel operating in the Middle East.
The Instagram breach follows other cyber incidents linked to the conflict.
In April, several members of the United States Marine Corps, civilian defense employees, and their families reportedly received threatening text messages from suspected Iranian hackers. Some messages claimed recipients were under surveillance and warned that their identities were known to Iranian missile units.
Earlier in the year, Iranian-linked hackers allegedly compromised the personal email account of Kash Patel and leaked personal emails and photographs online.
Beyond direct cyberattacks, the conflict has increasingly extended into the information sphere. Iranian social media users have employed artificial intelligence to create viral videos mocking U.S. President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and American military operations.
At the same time, the White House and U.S. military have released highly produced videos showcasing military strikes and operations, content that some observers have compared to modern video game presentations.
The hacking of Bentivegna’s account serves as a reminder that modern conflicts increasingly unfold across digital platforms as much as on traditional battlefields. As cyberattacks, online propaganda campaigns, and information warfare become more sophisticated, military officials continue to warn that personal social media accounts may represent a vulnerable entry point for adversaries seeking to influence public perception or gather intelligence.
