Meta has removed Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to the office of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Meta spokesperson cited repeated violations of the company’s Dangerous Organizations & Individuals policy as the reason for the removal. The policy prohibits the presence of organizations or individuals with violent or hateful missions on Meta’s platform. Furthermore, the policy update from January 23, 2024, specifically prohibits content that glorifies or supports violent events, such as terrorist attacks. The policy also applies to organizations identified as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” and “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” by the US government.
While Meta did not explicitly mention Hamas, there is a strong link between the terrorist organization and the Iranian regime. Following a massacre on October 7, Ayatollah Khamenei praised Hamas, expressing support for the attack on the “Zionist regime.” General Ramezan Sharif of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also initially took credit for the massacre, citing it as an act of revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Iranian ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, confirmed Iran’s involvement in arming and training Palestinians.
It’s worth noting that the response from the International Community is omitted.
