X removed the blue checkmark from the account of Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, who seemingly paid for it despite U.S. sanctions against the nation.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of deceased leader Ali Khamenei, opened an English X account and had nearly 175,000 followers by Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier that day, my account displayed a blue checkmark, indicating my subscription to X Premium had been processed. This is surprising given X’s own policy that bars sanctioned individuals like Khamenei from obtaining premium services.
The checkmark disappeared around noon ET after the Post reached out to X for clarification.
Khamenei, 56, is reportedly alive but sustained injuries in a late February airstrike that killed his father. Intelligence reports suggest he hasn’t been seen in public, hinting that he may not fully control Iran’s leadership.
Officials in Iran assert that he is in “stable” condition, but his absence fuels concerns, with some suggesting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is effectively assuming control while questions linger about his health.
X Premium accounts allow access to revenue-generating features such as ad-sharing payments and subscriptions, raising questions about whether Khamenei could profit from these accounts.
Moreover, X’s Monetization Rules explicitly prohibit users from Iran from converting earnings into cash on the platform. Any individual “resident, Iranian national, or ordinarily resident in Iran” cannot participate in the payments program. The same restrictions apply to people in North Korea, Syria, and regions under Russian occupation in Ukraine.
Khamenei’s posts on X are consistently aggressive, commending Iran’s “resistance front,” promising retaliation against adversaries, and urging assaults on U.S. forces and allies in the area. He frames the conflict as both a religious and national duty, calling for unity while warning that Iran will “collect” reparations from its foes or “destroy” their resources.
Some posts note increasing threats around the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. military bases, featuring a mix of extremist language and tributes to fallen leaders.
One specific post stated: “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used.”
Khamenei’s X account was initiated in March, managed by someone based in Iran.
He has been on the Treasury Department’s sanctions list since 2019, classified as a “designated national.” This designation prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in business with him.
He assumed power earlier this month after Iran’s Council of Experts, a group of senior Islamic scholars, quickly elevated him amid escalating regional conflict.
This appointment followed his father’s death in a U.S. airstrike on February 28, creating an immediate leadership vacuum at the top of the Islamic Republic.
Iran temporarily established an interim leadership as officials worked to stabilize the regime before religious leaders swiftly solidified Mojtaba’s authority.
Khamenei, previously seen as a shadowy figure connected to Iran’s security agencies, has positioned himself as a leading candidate, indicating that the regime’s hardline stance continues despite rising external pressures.
Multiple reports have identified X Premium accounts linked to U.S.-sanctioned extremists, including those associated with Hezbollah and various Iranian-backed groups.
Last month, the Technology Transparency Project observed over 20 X accounts tied to Iranian figures, some being verified and receiving blue checkmarks. Certain accounts were deleted after inquiries from the online news outlet “Wired.”
Furthermore, the 2025 report highlighted accounts linked to Houthi leaders from Yemen and commanders from Iraqi militias that have carried out attacks on U.S. forces, all showcasing blue checkmarks and premium features.
Previous findings also flagged accounts connected to Al Qaeda operatives and Hezbollah, purporting to be “ID-verified,” meaning the platform confirmed their identity via government-issued documents.
Some of these sanctioned accounts even utilized monetary tools like subscription features and tips, suggesting extremists could potentially earn money directly from the platform.
The Technology Transparency Project revealed a pattern where X removes verification badges following scrutiny but sometimes reinstates accounts or restores premium statuses, pointing to what critics view as inconsistent enforcement of its own guidelines.
Katie Paul, director of the Technology Transparency Project, cautioned that this issue extends beyond a mere policy failure.
“The fact that Company X continues to allow sanctioned individuals to pay for premium subscription benefits not only risks violating U.S. Treasury sanctions but also raises national security concerns,” Paul shared with the Post.
She emphasized that Mojtaba Khamenei isn’t just a sanctioned entity; he leads a nation presently in conflict with the United States.
Moreover, she raised broader issues regarding Elon Musk’s business empire, mentioning that X’s parent company has connections to the U.S. government.
“Additionally, Elon Musk’s xAI, which acquired Company X in 2025, holds defense contracts with the Department of Defense, amplifying concerns about sanctions violations involving companies engaged with the U.S. government,” she concluded.
