Analysis of Offer and Acceptance in the Metaverse under Iranian and American Law

The evolution of digital space into the Metaverse has confronted traditional contract concepts particularly offer and acceptance with new challenges. This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the transformation of offer and acceptance in the context of the Metaverse within the legal systems of Iran and the United States. Using a comparative-analytical methodology and drawing upon jurisprudential, legal, and technology-based sources, the study seeks to assess the structure of Metaverse-based contracts. In the Metaverse, avatars serve as digital representatives of individuals, and interactive tools such as chat or gesture facilitate the expression of offer and acceptance. Findings reveal that despite differences in the tools and environment of contract formation, Metaverse contracts fundamentally remain rooted in party autonomy. Iranian law emphasizes actual will, while American law focuses on apparent will; however, in practice, both systems rely on externally manifested intention to validate contracts. The paper also explores jurisprudential and legal aspects such as the possibility of unilateral or bilateral declarations, legal recognition of digital agents, and the function of smart contracts. It concludes that existing legal frameworks require revision to accommodate the conditions of the Metaverse. Ultimately, the study recommends designing a specialized legal structure for recognizing digital agency in contractual relations that aligns with domestic legal principles and complies with international technical standards.