Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Amir-Abdollahian, has denounced Meta Company’s decision to close the social media accounts belonging to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, labeling it as a violation of freedom of speech and an affront to millions of his followers.
Meta banning Ayatollah @khamenei_ir‘s Instagram and Facebook accounts ‘illegal and unethical’; the ‘Silicon Valley Empire’ wants to censor pro-Palestinian voices: Minister of Foreign Affairs @Amirabdolahian in an interview with @MiddleEastEye news website.https://t.co/3h1j2DM9WF
— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) March 9, 2024
In an interview with the Middle East Eye news website, Dr. Amir-Abdollahian criticized what he described as the hollow and insincere rhetoric of freedom of expression propagated by certain Western entities, suggesting that such assertions serve as a façade for advancing their own political agendas.
The closure of Ayatollah Khamenei’s accounts on Instagram and Facebook by Meta Company, according to Dr. Amir-Abdollahian, not only restricts freedom of speech but also undermines the voices of millions who seek to engage with his perspectives and updates.
Dr. Amir-Abdollahian went on to condemn Meta Company’s actions as anti-freedom of speech, asserting that Ayatollah Khamenei stands as a prominent advocate for the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza worldwide. He emphasized that the Silicon Valley giant’s attempt to silence his voice is futile and unjustifiable.
Highlighting what he perceives as a deterioration in global moral values, Dr. Amir-Abdollahian criticized American platforms for censoring Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements and the supporters of the displaced people of Gaza. He pointed out the significant loss of Palestinian lives over the past five months and insisted that Meta Company be held accountable for its illegal and unethical conduct.
