Iran's Efforts to Counter Social Media Users; Attorney General Orders Action

The Attorney General of the country, following comments made by social media users regarding the explosions in Kerman, ordered action against 'content contrary' to the views of the Islamic Republic, and media reported the arrest of a student in this context. According to Iranian media, Mohammad Mohammadi Azad, the Attorney General, instructed all public and revolutionary prosecutors in Iran to 'take decisive action against the production, dissemination, and republishing of false and illegal content with criminal descriptions in certain media and social networks.' This judicial official of the Islamic Republic referred to some opposing comments as 'sacrilege' by individuals whom he claimed are 'ignorant and hostile.' He also ordered intelligence, security, and law enforcement agencies to urgently address 'the production, dissemination, and republishing of false and illegal content with criminal descriptions' in certain media and social networks. In recent years, following widespread protests in Iran, including in 2017, 2019, and last year, such security and judicial actions have been taken against social media users who published news and images of protests or criticized the suppression of protesters by government forces. Nevertheless, these actions by the Islamic Republic have had little impact on social media users or protests. Meanwhile, the state-run news agency reported that a medical university student in Yazd was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence forces for what was described as 'the publication of insulting content in cyberspace.' According to this news agency, under the order of the Yazd prosecutor, this student was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence agents for a post he made on the social network 'X' regarding the casualties in Kerman and was introduced to prison with a legal order. Following the explosions at a government ceremony related to the anniversary of Qassem Soleimani's death in Kerman, over 100 people, including at least six children, were killed, which elicited various reactions among social media users. Although the terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for these explosions, some users expressed critical views towards the Islamic Republic and the holding of such ceremonies for Qassem Soleimani. These explosions have been condemned by many countries around the world. In this context, the United States expressed sympathy for the victims while emphasizing the terrorist nature of these explosions.