Retired Navy SEAL commander Robert Harward went viral this week for reasons that had nothing to do with Iran but everything to do with his face.

The former US Central Command official appeared onFox Newsto discuss rising tensions in the Middle East, but viewers quickly became fixated on his face, with social media users claiming he looked like he was 'wearing a mask' or even 'an alien in disguise.'

Users zoomed in on Harward's neck, jawline and blinking patterns, and soon a series of conspiracy theories piled up before anyone could call it a day.

The controversy began after Robert Harward appeared onAmerica's Newsroomto discuss US-Iran tensions and possible military responses in the Strait of Hormuz. Instead of focusing on his analysis, viewers became distracted by what many described as an unusual 'seam' around his neck and a stiff facial appearance under studio lighting.

Some social media users questioned whether Harward was wearing a silicone mask, while others jokingly suggested the retired admiral was a 'reptilian' or 'alien' disguised as a human. Several viral posts compared the clip to conspiracy theories about shape-shifting elites and Men in Black-style disguises.

'Is this real? Is he wearing a mask?' one user wrote on X.

Admiral Robert Harward is GOING VIRALHere are BOTH CLIPS UNEDITED of the interview from 5/18 and yesterday 5/21People are saying it is NOT HIM it is someone else WEARING a mask. To me it looks and sounds like two different people, but both are of himWatch and tell me what...https://t.co/o6xDzXdk6xpic.twitter.com/M5u1KaE9rO

Meanwhile, a certain section of people are convinced it's AI. 'I'm looking at the 'mask bottom' but I think it's just an AI glitch,' one user wrote on AI. Another added, 'This guy might have always been in a mask, he just forgot to button up the collar for the interview.'

Others pushed back on the claims, arguing the appearance was likely caused by harsh television lighting, camera compression or makeup. Some also pointed out Harward is nearly 70 years old and has spent decades in high-stress military environments.

Robert Stiles Harward Jris a retired vice admiral and former Navy SEAL commander with nearly four decades of military service. He previously served as deputy commander of US Central Command under General James Mattis and led multiple operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Source: International Business Times UK