Iran's embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a list of official X handles for senior government figures following the removal of verification badges from their accounts by the platform. This move has been criticized by Iranian officials, including Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, who described the removals as arbitrary censorship and part of a pattern of selective digital censorship by X, which is based in the United States. The removals coincide with ongoing US sanctions that prevent American companies from doing business with certain Iranian officials. As a result of the de-verification, satirical accounts impersonating Iranian officials have gained traction, further blurring the lines between official communications and parody. This situation adds a digital layer to the existing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, particularly surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.