Iran denounced US tech giant Meta’s decision to remove the Facebook and Instagram accounts of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a “violation of freedom of expression”, AFP reports.

Meta’s move on February 8 came as Khamenei increasingly voiced support for Palestinian group Hamas and denounced Israel amid Israel’s incursion in the Gaza Strip.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the move was “not only a violation of freedom of speech, but also an insult to millions of followers of his positions and news”.

“Khamenei is the most prominent supporter of the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza in the world, and the Silicon Valley Empire cannot prevent this voice from reaching the public opinion of the world,” Amir-Abdollahian said.