X removes verification badges from Iranian officials after sanctions report

By Ahmet Dursun

The US social media platform X has removed blue verification badges from the accounts of several senior Iranian officials following a report alleging the platform provided paid services to individuals under US sanctions.

The move came after the Tech Transparency Project said X was offering its paid X Premium service to Iranian figures subject to US restrictions.

Accounts that lost verification included Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Ali Larijani, secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council.

US sanctions on Iran prohibit American companies from conducting business with certain individuals and entities. X has not publicly commented on the removals.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, previously replaced the Iranian flag emoji on its web platform with an older flag used by pro-monarchy groups opposed to the country’s current leadership.

Last month, amid a wave of protests in Iran, X updated the design of the Iran flag emoji shown on its web platform, replacing the emblem of the Islamic Republic with the older Lion and Sun symbol used by pro-monarchy groups.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan