The recent suspension of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Hebrew-language account on X (formerly Twitter) after just two posts has raised significant attention on social media and in the geopolitical sphere.
The account aimed to communicate with Israeli audiences directly, highlighting ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. This move also underscores the complex dynamics of regional power plays and the communication strategies employed by political leaders on social media platforms.
Background of the Account Suspension and Recent Tensions
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, is known for his frequent and often provocative posts targeting Israel, typically shared on his primary X account in Hebrew. This account was created to address Israeli audiences directly, particularly during heightened conflicts, and initially posted two statements.
However, the account was suspended shortly after the second post, which occurred on a Sunday, with the last message reading: “The Zionist regime made a mistake and erred in its calculation regarding Iran. We will make it understand what power, ability, initiative, and desire the Iranian nation has.”
This post followed recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which targeted military installations linked to missile production and air defense capabilities.
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The Supreme Leader’s first post on the newly established account read, “In the name of Allah the merciful,” seemingly signaling an official and solemn tone as it engaged with an audience directly affected by recent military confrontations.
These posts appeared shortly after Israel conducted multiple airstrikes on Iranian military targets, resulting in casualties and material damages on Iran’s side.
Reports from Iranian military sources confirmed that the strikes had damaged military installations in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, though Iran downplayed the scale of destruction as “limited.”
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Despite the account suspension, Khamenei continues to post on his main X account in Hebrew, emphasizing his opposition to Israeli actions. His messages often contain strong language aimed at undermining Israel’s military operations against Iran.
The Israeli airstrikes, which led to the creation of the Hebrew account, also stirred political tensions in both countries, with Iran’s leadership calling the attacks a “miscalculation” on Israel’s part, claiming they demonstrate a failure to grasp Iran’s resolve and power.
Iran’s Reaction to Israeli Airstrikes and Khamenei’s Response
Following the recent Israeli airstrikes, Iran responded publicly through both diplomatic channels and direct military actions. The airstrikes targeted various sites believed to be critical to Iran’s missile development, including facilities in provinces with key military bases.
Iranian military officials reported that the attacks resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and caused minimal damage to the facilities. Khamenei’s statements on social media reiterated that Iran would not be intimidated by such measures, framing Israel’s strikes as strategic missteps.
Khamenei has publicly stated that while it is not prudent to amplify the impact of Israel’s airstrikes, neither should Iran disregard them as inconsequential. He emphasized that Israel’s aggressive tactics reflect a misunderstanding of the Iranian people’s strength, resilience, and determination.
In comments published on his official website, he asserted that Iran would respond strategically to Israel’s “miscalculations,” intending to make clear Iran’s capability to defend itself and retaliate if necessary.
The creation of a Hebrew-language account for Khamenei is seen as a direct attempt to communicate with the Israeli populace, conveying Iran’s narrative directly rather than through third-party sources. This effort aligns with Iran’s broader strategy of psychological operations aimed at shaping public opinion within adversarial nations.
However, the rapid suspension of the account may suggest that social media platforms are becoming less tolerant of content perceived as inflammatory or threatening, especially when the messages pertain to active conflicts.
Social Media and Geopolitical Strategies in the Middle East
The suspension of Khamenei’s Hebrew-language account reflects the complex and evolving role of social media in geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. Social media platforms have become integral to modern political communication strategies, enabling leaders to reach audiences beyond national borders.
By leveraging platforms like X, political figures such as Khamenei can amplify their messages to a global audience, bypassing traditional media and connecting directly with their adversaries’ citizens.
However, the widespread use of social media by political leaders has led to concerns about the potential for incendiary content to escalate tensions. The suspension of Khamenei’s account underscores the balance that social media platforms must maintain between providing freedom of expression and preventing content that could contribute to instability or violence.
In this case, X may have decided that Khamenei’s posts in Hebrew, addressing Israel with language deemed as confrontational, could exacerbate an already volatile situation.
Iran’s use of Hebrew-language posts to reach Israeli citizens directly is also notable because it reflects a broader strategy of psychological warfare in which nations attempt to influence or sway the public opinion of their rivals. Through social media, political leaders are no longer confined to addressing only their domestic audiences.
Instead, they can project their narratives into the homes of citizens within hostile territories, potentially affecting public opinion and, by extension, the actions of adversarial governments.
The Hebrew-language account created for Khamenei was an uncharacteristic move for a country that typically restricts direct interactions with Israeli society. Iran’s strict stance against Israel and its policies make this instance unique, showcasing the increasing relevance of social media in statecraft and international relations.
Nevertheless, X’s decision to suspend the account after only two posts indicates the platform’s stance on potentially inflammatory content that could contribute to heightened regional tensions.
The suspension of Khamenei’s Hebrew-language X account highlights the intersection of digital communication, statecraft, and conflict in today’s world. It is a reminder of the power social media holds in shaping global narratives and the responsibilities these platforms have in regulating sensitive or provocative content.
As the Middle East continues to experience geopolitical shifts, social media will remain a critical tool in the strategies of leaders seeking to assert influence over both domestic and foreign audiences.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏