A controversial "hamster game" gains widespread popularity in Iran.
A fresh mobile game has exploded in popularity across Iran, with young people especially hooked on "Hamster Combat" and its promise of speedy wealth through cryptocurrency. Officials and Islamic scholars are raising eyebrows.
This controversial game captivating Iranians is "Hamster Combat", where players maintain a virtual hamster and earn virtual cash by completing mini-games and repetitively tapping their screens. The game has gained ground quickly in the Islamic Republic and particularly among young people.
It's available on Telegram, an advanced communication platform which, despite being officially banned in Iran, still remains one of the country's most popular networks. Users skirt around these restrictions with the help of VPN services, also providing access to other blocked apps like WhatsApp or Instagram.
The developers claim the game has amassed more than 116 million users internationally since its March launch. They aspire to trade these virtual coins on cryptocurrency exchanges soon, fueling anticipation among Iranians regarding a potential new digital currency. However, some users worry it could be a scam. Experts say there are many unanswered questions.
Rising traffic perils
Expectedly, authorities are growing uneasy with the game as well. In a public announcement, the traffic police expressed worry about a potential increase in road hazards. Meanwhile, security agencies cautioned against transmitting sensitive data.
Iran has been struggling economically, reeling from stringent sanctions that have placed it largely outside the international financial system and suffering an official inflation rate of over 30% for years.
Critical Islamic scholars in the country are also unimpressed. According to the news agency ISNA, a group of Shiite clerics was polled for their opinion. One member, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem, an influential Shiite cleric, stated, "Due to the uncertainties surrounding these types of currencies, it is forbidden to trade them, invest in them, or reap profits from them."
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Irrespective of the game's international success, these cryptocurrencies used within "Hamster Combat" raise concern among Iran's Islamic scholars. Ayatollah Nasser Makarem, a prominent Shiite cleric, has declared trading, investing in, or profiting from such uncertained digital currencies as forbidden within the Islamic Republic.
Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has yet to recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender, making their use in transactions potentially problematic for Iran, which is already struggling economically due to international sanctions.
