X removes blue checks from key Iranian official accounts

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, has said that X has withdrawn verified status from key Iranian official accounts, removing blue check marks despite payment for the platform’s Premium+ service. In a post on X, Baqaei noted that the verification badge was withdrawn not only from his account but also from the accounts of Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, even though all required subscription payments had been made. X has now removed the blue check from Iran's MFA Spokesperson’s account—after stripping the Ministry and Minister's verified badges—despite our full Premium+ payments. This arbitrary de-verification fits X’s pattern of selective censorship and American digital piracy, aimed at… — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) May 5, 2026 He described the move as arbitrary, alleging it reflects a broader pattern of selective censorship by the platform and accusing it of attempting to suppress information regarding what he termed the United States’ “illegal war” against Iran. UAE intercepts Iranian missiles, drones amid fragile ceasefire