Iran Condemns Meta’s Action Against Khamenei’s Social Media Accounts

Iran Condemns Meta's Action Against Khamenei's Social Media Accounts/Reuters

VoM News Desk | March 10, 2024 | 09:51 AM IST | Iran, Social Media, World | Follow on Google News

Iran Condemns Meta’s Action Against Khamenei’s Social Media Accounts/Reuters

Iran Condemns Meta’s Action Against Khamenei’s Social Media Accounts

Iran strongly criticizes Meta’s decision to remove the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, labeling it a “violation of freedom of expression.” While these platforms are popular among Iranians, the government blocks their use, yet officials in Iran maintain accounts on them. Meta stated that it removed Khamenei’s accounts due to repeated violations of its policy on “dangerous organizations and individuals.”

Foreign Minister Denounces Move as Insult to Followers

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian denounced Meta’s action, emphasizing it as not only a violation of freedom of speech but also an insult to millions of followers of Khamenei’s positions and news. Amir-Abdollahian criticized Western claims of freedom of expression as hollow slogans masking illegitimate political goals in an interview with the Middle East Eye.

Khamenei’s Significance and Social Media Ban

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in power since 1989 as Iran’s supreme leader, had approximately five million Instagram followers. Meta’s decision coincided with Khamenei’s increased support for Palestinian group Hamas after the October 7 assault on Israel. The Iranian government prohibits Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, yet internet users in Iran can still access them using virtual private networks (VPNs).

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