Meta removes Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei from Facebook, Instagram for policy violations
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Meta announced on Thursday (Feb 9) that it had taken down the Facebook and Instagram accounts belonging to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, citing violations of its content policies. A spokesperson for Meta told AFP, "We have removed these accounts for repeatedly violating our Dangerous Organizations & Individuals policy." The decision comes amidst mounting pressure on Meta to ban Khamenei following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. However, it is worth noting that Meta did not explicitly reference this event in their statement while taking down Khamenei's social media accounts.
Following the attack, Khamenei expressed support for Hamas' actions but denied any involvement from Iran. "The supporters of the Zionist regime (Israel) and some people in the usurping regime have been spreading rumours over the past two or three days, including that Islamic Iran was behind this action. They are wrong," he had said in a speech at a military academy.
"Of course, we defend Palestine, we defend the struggles," he added, urging "the whole Islamic world" to "support the Palestinians," he added. The Iranian supreme leader also publicly endorsed Palestinian retaliation against Israel's actions in Gaza earlier and spoke in favour of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Khamenei, who has held power in Iran for 35 years, boasted five million followers on Instagram.
Meta's decision was based on its policy aimed at preventing real-world harm by disallowing organisations or individuals with violent agendas from using their platforms.
The policy states, "In an effort to prevent and disrupt real-world harm, we do not allow organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence to have a presence on our platforms," says the policy on which Meta based its decision."
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Iran's attack on Israel in 5 pictures - How Tehran retaliated with barrage of missiles
)
Israel completes attack on nuclear site in Isfahan, stopped them from producing nuclear weapon - Here's what military official said
)
Israel-Iran conflict: Israel says Iran ‘crossed red lines by daring to fire missiles at civilians’
)
‘Very soon, IAF jets over Tehran’: Netanyahu issues fresh WARNING for Iran, says will hit every target of 'Ayatollahs’ regime'
)
'764 apartments, 3,820 people': Massive fire erupts in 67-storey building in Dubai Marina - WATCH
)
Man sits on 'Van Gogh' chair, shatters art piece covered in Swarovski crystals
)
India distances itself from SCO statement that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, MEA explains why
)
‘All of Israel is under fire’: Iran launches missile barrage after Israeli airstrikes in Tehran
)
Sunjay Kapur death: Can a bee sting lead to a heart attack? Doctors weigh in
)
After Iran's WARNING, Baghdad asks Tehran to avoid strikes on US targets in Iraq
)
Considered impenetrable, Israel's Iron Dome breached. Here’s how the air defense system works
)
‘Fake, baseless’: Israel denies Iran’s claim of downing two F-35 jets, capturing woman pilot
)
'Significant blow': Israel says Iran's nine nuclear scientists killed in strike | Full list of who they were
)
'He sat in the same...': 27 years ago, a Thai singer survived plane crash. His seat number? 11A
)
'Bad unintended infographics': Israel 'apologises' for map showing Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan, and it's not the first time
)
'ENTER PROTECTED SPACES': Millions of Israelis run for shelter as Iran continues to launch barrage of missiles
)
Israel-Iran war: Two dead in Iranian missile barrage in Israeli city, several wounded as Tehran continues to attack
)
Israel-Iran war to expand in coming days? Tehran WARNS to attack US bases in the region
)
Caitlyn Jenner takes shelter in Tel Aviv, drinks wine amid Iran’s strikes on Israel
)
Out of Earth defence: Israel intercepts Iranian ballistic missile in space - What is exoatmospheric interception? WATCH
)
Biggest show-off buy in IPL? Indian all-rounder won titles with CSK and MI without playing a single game with them
)
'Not have happened without US permission': Iran AGAIN accuses America of supporting Israeli attacks, says talks with US 'meaningless'
)
‘Years of planning, 200 aircraft, 300 munitions’: Israel smuggled drones, weapons into Iran before launching strikes | Inside Operation Rising Lion
)
‘Any country that defends Israel…’: Iran’s stern warning to nations after reports of US helping Tel Aviv intercept missiles
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Missiles seen in sky, explosions heard, buildings damaged: What unfolded in Tel Aviv moments after Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes
)
'Tehran will BURN' if Iran...: Israel defence minister sends out warning message
Notably, Hamas is officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. Reports said that Iranians utilise virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent restrictions and access prohibited websites or apps, including those owned by US companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
(With inputs from agencies)