Iran Flashback: When EA Became the Supreme Leader's Facebook Friend

Earlier this week The Guardian of London, noting an article on the opposition site Kalemeh, wrote in astonishment: even though Twitter and Facebook are blocked in Iran, the Supreme Leader had come out on both.

Only thing is: it's an old story. 

We know this because we were one of Ayatollah Khamenei's first Facebook Friends. Here are the EA story and updates, run unedited, from August 2009:

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UPDATE 16 August, 2035 GMT: Supreme Leader wants to click "Get New Nokia N97" ad on his page but worries he will put himself under surveillance.

Ayatollah Khamenei still has 39 friends.

UPDATE 15 August, 2040 GMT: Someone sends Supreme Leader "A Monty Python Gift": "The Spanish Inquisition!". Ayatollah Khamenei unsure whether this is for humour or guidance.

The Supreme Leader now has 39 friends.

UPDATE 13 August, 2110 GMT: Supreme Leader reportedly considers "Ultimate Rock Bands" and gives surprising answer, "REO Speedwagon". Meanwhile, he issues Facebook fatwas against Al Green, Green Day, and Green from Scritti Politti.

UPDATE, 13 August, 0745 GMT: So far the Supreme Leader has devoted himself to posting links to his past speeches. Is there a clue, however, in this Google translation of one of the entries (and, yes, this is true): "Validation ceremony...Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani's death 72 years".

UPDATE 12 August, 2115 GMT: Rumour that Ayatollah Khamenei worried about potential rival after discovering "Nibbles for Supreme Leader" group. Iranian forces being mobilised to stop perpetrators of this "velvet revolution".

UPDATE 12 August, 1040 GMT: Supreme Leader considering whether to click on ad on his Facebook page "Want Six Pack Abs? Feel the burn, shed unwanted pounds, and get ripped." Not sure whether "get ripped" is good or bad thing in current political climate.

UPDATE 12 August, 0745 GMT: Dramatic News! Ayatollah Khamenei has accepted our humble request, and one of our Enduring America staff is now among his (34!) friends.

UPDATE 12 August, 0645 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei reported to be disappointed with score of 105 in SCRABBLE. He can't believe "KHAR" is not allowed in English version.

The Supreme Leader still has 20 friends.

UPDATE 1945 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei allegedly takes test, "What Sex and the City Character Are You?". Finds out he is "Charlotte". Disappointed as he wanted to be "Mr Big".

UPDATE 1810 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly displeased that he shares his Facebook page with ads for "Prostate Treatment" and "Betfair Arcade".

UPDATE 1735 GMT: Mir Hossein Mousavi is not yet a friend of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Are you?

Well, I guess the Iranian regime won't be blocking Facebook again in the near-future. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei apparently has signed up for his own page, complete with appropriately artistic photograph. Don't know if he has poked anyone yet or posted a status update, such as "Wishing Mahmoud Would Get His Cabinet in Order", but he does have 20 friends.