X Suspends Iran’s Supreme Leader’s Hebrew Account
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- October 28, 2024
- 4:06 pm
- 38
- Current Affairs
In a surprising move, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei opened a Hebrew-language account on X (formerly Twitter) amid ongoing tension. This came shortly after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites. Khamenei used the account to direct messages to Israel in Hebrew. But, the platform suspended it hours later citing violation of rules. This shows the Iran-Israel conflict is rapidly escalating. Military actions are now spreading to digital platforms.
Khamenei’s Hebrew account launched with two pointed posts following Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed several Iranian soldiers and damaged military infrastructure in Tehran and other regions. His posts were clear warnings:
“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.”
His choice of Hebrew—a language spoken predominantly in Israel—indicates an effort to communicate directly with Israel’s citizens, bypassing typical diplomatic channels.
X's quick suspension of Khamenei's new account hasn't stopped him. He is still posting similar warnings on his main account, where he often addresses Israel in Hebrew. After the suspension, Khamenei reiterated his stance on the airstrikes on Iranian media. He cautions against downplaying or exaggerating the incident.
“The evil committed by the Zionist regime two nights ago should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated,” he said.
Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran were reportedly in response to missile attacks launched from Iran earlier in October. The strikes hit multiple sites, including missile facilities and SAM arrays. Israel claimed they posed a threat to its national security. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, defended the military action. He said Israeli forces had "hit hard" Iran's defenses and claimed the mission was a success.
Iran’s response emphasizes that the Israeli government made a “miscalculation” by underestimating Iran’s strength. Khamenei continued his rhetoric, warning Israel against further attacks, saying, “They’re making a miscalculation concerning Iran. They still haven’t been able to correctly understand the power, capability, ingenuity, and determination of the Iranian people.”
His message reflects Tehran’s position of readiness and resilience against external aggression.
The escalation between Iran and Israel highlights an evolving landscape where social media plays a central role in diplomatic confrontations. Khamenei's direct approach on X, posting in Hebrew, shows a shift in Iran's leaders' communication tactics. They now use social media to reach a targeted audience. Despite the suspension of the Hebrew account, Khamenei continues to share messages in Hebrew on his primary account, often using bold language against Israel.
As the Iran-Israel rivalry intensifies, both countries use online platforms to sway public opinion and reinforce their views. For Khamenei, these posts serve to amplify Iran's readiness and assertiveness. For Israel, Netanyahu's statements highlight a strong defense posture. The suspension of Khamenei’s Hebrew-language account on X reveals the limitations and sensitivities involved when leaders use global platforms to make direct threats.
In a world where military tensions can quickly spill over to social media, the Iran-Israel conflict shows how digital platforms like X are increasingly significant battlegrounds, as both nations broadcast their stances to a worldwide audience.
