Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has removed accounts associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This move comes after criticism over Khamenei’s support for Hamas following its attack on Israel in October, which sparked the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Meta cited its policy of not allowing organizations or individuals engaged in violence to have a presence on its platforms as the reason for the removal. Khamenei has been targeted by American sanctions since 2019, and pressure has been growing on online platforms to remove his presence in recent years.
Khamenei’s use of Facebook has drawn criticism in the past, as the social network has been banned in Iran since the 2009 disputed presidential election and the subsequent Green Movement protests. Iran has also blocked Instagram and Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service after protests erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly arrested for not wearing the mandated headscarf. However, Khamenei still maintains an account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Khamenei and accounts associated with him had been praising the Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of around 250 others. The removal of these accounts by Meta is part of a broader effort by social media platforms to crack down on content related to violence and dangerous organizations. While Meta did not provide specific details about its decision, it is likely that the company faced pressure to take action against Khamenei due to his support for Hamas and his history of controversial statements.
This move by Meta highlights the challenges faced by social media platforms in balancing the need to provide a space for freedom of expression with the responsibility to prevent the spread of harmful content. The removal of Khamenei’s accounts also raises questions about the role of online platforms in shaping public discourse and political dynamics, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts and international tensions. It remains to be seen how Khamenei and his supporters will respond to this action and whether it will have a significant impact on his online presence and influence.
