Potential Violation of US Sanctions by 'X' Due to Receiving Payments from Sanctioned Users

According to a new report by the 'Technology Transparency Project', the social network X (formerly Twitter) may be violating US sanctions due to payments it receives for creating special or premium accounts for users such as Hezbollah and other sanctioned groups. The Hill reports that this project has identified 28 accounts linked to Hezbollah and Iranian and Russian state media on X that have blue or gold checkmarks. X users must pay specific monthly amounts to receive blue or gold checkmarks and related services. This new procedure began with Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter and its renaming to X. Therefore, the appearance of these checkmarks on the accounts of individuals or groups indicates that 'X is conducting financial transactions with these accounts, which is a potential violation of US sanctions.' Accounts with blue checkmarks belonging to Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, and Naeem Qassem, his deputy, indicate that X has engaged in transactions with them, despite their designation as foreign terrorist organizations by the US government. Accounts of the Houthis in Yemen, a militia group supported by the Iranian government, Hassan Moukled, who the US Treasury identifies as a key money exchanger for Hezbollah, and the Al-Manar television channel associated with Hezbollah also have blue checkmarks on this platform. Press TV, the English-language international channel of the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, and Tinkoff Bank, a commercial bank in Russia, both have accounts with gold checkmarks on X, indicating their status as verified organizations on this social network. The report states, 'For years, Twitter allowed individuals and entities sanctioned by the US to use free accounts on this platform; an arrangement that some legal experts said was permissible under US sanctions law. However, now X, by offering special services and receiving payments from sanctioned entities, may create new legal issues. The US has expanded sanctions related to Iran. Israel approved Starlink satellite services in a field hospital in Gaza. Ukraine: Russia uses Elon Musk's 'Starlink' in occupied areas. There was a positive reception for the closure of Khamenei's accounts on Meta; users are requesting from X: 'Elon Musk, it's your turn.' A court in the US overturned a $55 billion bonus for Tesla's board to Elon Musk.