Iran Summons Australian Ambassador Over 'Norm-Breaking' Instagram Post

Iran summoned Australia's ambassador in Tehran regarding an online post celebrating 'Wear it Purple Day' that it deemed inappropriate and considered promotion of homosexuality. The post was intended to support LGBTQIA+ youth and not insult Iranian culture. The post remains on the embassy's Instagram account.

Iran's government has summoned Australia's ambassador to Tehran in response to an online post that the Iranian authorities deemed 'norm-breaking,' according to semi-official ILNA news agency on Tuesday. The post, which was published on the Australian embassy's official Instagram account, marked 'Wear it Purple Day' and aimed to create a supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Australian Ambassador Ian McConville clarified that the post was not intended to offend the Iranian people or their values and did not mention the Islamic Republic. Despite the dispute, the contentious post remains visible on the embassy's Instagram account.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of longstanding tension between Iran and Western rights groups, which criticize Iran's restrictive social and sexual practices, including the criminalization of homosexuality. The Iranian government counters that such criticism stems from misunderstandings of its Islamic law.

(With inputs from agencies.)