Newsletters
Former Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif has accused social media platform X of censoring his account and removing his verification badge, at a time of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
In a post directed at X owner Elon Musk, Zarif questioned the timing of the platform’s actions.
“I have been a responsible X user since 2009, with 1.6 million real followers. I've had a blue tick since 2013, when I became foreign minister,” he wrote. .
“@elonmusk: Why did X remove my check mark, restrict my account and even shadow ban me exactly when the world needs to know all the facts?”
Zarif, who served as Iran’s top diplomat from 2013 to 2021 and was a key negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal, has remained an influential voice on international affairs.
Since June 13, Israel has carried out targeted airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and senior military officials, killing Iran’s chief of staff, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, and nine nuclear scientists. These attacks escalated long-standing tensions and triggered rapid military retaliation.
Iran responded with ballistic missile strikes on major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, resulting in at least 24 deaths and over 400 injuries. Israeli airstrikes targeted the Kermanshah region, while nine Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down, indicating the conflict’s regional scope.
The death toll in Iran has risen to at least 639, with 1,329 wounded, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Israeli strikes have continued across 16 provinces, including Tehran, Isfahan, Fars, and Zanjan, causing severe damage, especially in Tehran. At least 10 people were killed in attacks on Wednesday alone.
3 min read
2 min read
