Accusations of Violating U.S. Sanctions: Widespread Controversy Over Selling Paid Subscriptions to Iranian Officials via Platform X

American businessman Elon Musk is facing a wave of criticism following a technical report that claimed Platform X provided paid subscription services to accounts linked to Iranian officials, in a move that could constitute a violation of U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran.
The report indicated that some accounts received paid services, including the blue verification checkmark that grants users additional benefits, such as posting longer content and increased audience reach.

Removal of Verification Marks After Controversy

Reports stated that the platform rushed to remove verification marks from several Iranian accounts after the issue was raised, without issuing an official comment regarding the accusations. In contrast, the U.S. Treasury Department confirmed that it is taking the allegations seriously, but refrained from commenting on specific cases.

Iranian Figures Among the Included Accounts

The report mentioned that the paid subscriptions included accounts linked to prominent Iranian officials, including Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, Ali Larijani, and Ali Akbar Velayati. It also noted accounts linked to state media such as Press TV, which used the platform to publish political content during recent protests in Iran.

Suspicions of Violating U.S. Sanctions

The mentioned entities are subject to sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which prohibits financial transactions with entities listed on the sanctions lists without official permits. The report suggests that providing paid services to these entities could represent a potential violation of U.S. laws.

Accusations of Contradiction in Musk's Positions

These accusations come at a time when Musk had previously announced his support for protests within Iran, as he provided satellite internet services through Starlink to bypass internet restrictions within the country. The report considered that the platform's financial benefit from Iranian government entities contradicts Musk's publicly stated positions.

Ongoing Controversy Over Digital Platform Policies

The case highlights the challenges faced by global technology companies in complying with international sanctions, especially in light of the increasing role of social media platforms in influencing the political and media landscape globally.