Facing new sanctions, Iranians vent anger at rich and powerful

In addition to his written contributions, Sadrossadati has posted videos of debates between himself and some of those he has criticised.

In one, he confronted Mehdi Mazaheri, the son of a former central bank governor who was criticised online after a photograph appeared showing him wearing a large gold watch.

In a heated exchange, Sadrossadati shouted: "How did you get rich? How much money did you start out with and how much money do you have now? How many loans have you taken?"

Mazaheri, barely able to get in a reply, said he would be willing to share documents about his finances.

Children of more than a dozen other officials have been criticized online and are often referred to as "aghazadeh" - literally "noble-born" in Farsi but also a derogatory term used to describe their perceived extravagance.

High-profile clerics have also been targeted.

Mohammad Naghi Lotfi, who held the prestigious position of leading Friday prayers at a mosque in Ilam, west Iran, resigned in October after he was criticised on social media for being photographed stepping out of a luxury sports utility vehicle.

Facebook posts labelled Lotfi a hypocrite for highlighting ways that ordinary Iranians could get through the economic crisis during his speeches. The outcry was a major factor in his decision to resign from a post he had held for 18 years.

"The hype that was presented against me in this position ... made me resign, lest in the creation of this hype the position of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution be damaged," Lotfi told state media after stepping down.

"The issue of the vehicle ... was all lies that they created in cyberspace," he added.

He was one of at least four clerics in charge of Friday prayers who have resigned in the last year after being accused on social media of profligacy or financial impropriety.