In a move that has sparked international attention, Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has suspended the newly created account of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. This action comes after the 85-year-old leader posted just two messages on the platform.
The suspension has raised questions about X’s content moderation policies and its approach to handling accounts of world leaders. The platform has faced criticism in the past for its handling of controversial content, particularly when it comes to political figures.
Prior to the suspension, Ayatollah Khamenei’s new account on X featured a post written in Hebrew that read, “In the name of Allah, the most merciful.” This post was subsequently reposted on his official English account, Khamenei.ir, which is verified on X and has over one million followers.
The suspension of Ayatollah Khamenei’s account comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West, particularly in the wake of ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The move has been seen by some as a sign of the platform’s willingness to restrict content that could be seen as inflammatory or promoting hostility.
It remains to be seen what impact this suspension will have on the relationship between X and the Iranian government. The platform has faced criticism in the past for its alleged bias against certain political figures, and this latest action is likely to further fuel these accusations.
