SALAZAR, BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE IRAN ACT TO DEFEND INTERNET FREEDOM AND COUNTER REGIME CENSORSHIP

WASHINGTON, D.C. -This week, Rep. María Elvira Salazar joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce H.R. 7380, the Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act,legislation aimed at expanding internet freedom and access to information for the Iranian people.

Iran remains one of the most severe internet censors and abusers in the world. The regime routinely uses censorship, surveillance, and nationwide internet shutdowns to silence dissent, isolate citizens, and suppress democratic movements. As Iranians continue to demand basic human rights and freedom, access to an open and secure internet remains one of the most powerful tools to organize, communicate, and connect with the democratic world.

"There is nothing dictators fear more than an educated and connected people," said Rep. Salazar. "That is why the Ayatollah's regime always moves first to shut down the internet - to silence the Iranian people's cry for freedom. The IRAN Act creates a permanent strategy to keep Iranians connected, expand access to VPNs and satellite internet, and push back against regime censorship. From Iran to Cuba, access to information is the first step toward breaking the chains of tyranny."

"Oppressive regimes fall when the illusion of their power breaks, and the people of Iran are ready to break through," said Rep. Eric Swalwell. "Iranians want freedom, a mission I've always supported. That's why I'm introduced the Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act, to expand access to free internet for the Iranian people. Open internet access is a powerful tool for change and empowers the people to stand against the regime. Iranians want what people everywhere want: the freedom to choose their own future."

"The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage in demanding basic freedoms from a regime that fears open communication," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "Instead of listening, the regime responds with censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns meant to isolate people from one another and from the world. The IRAN Act requires the U.S. government to implement and periodically update its strategy to expand access to the open internet for Iranian civilians. It ensures our sanctions are not unintentionally blocking essential communication tools and directs the State Department to address VPN access and internet blackouts head-on. This legislation is about matching the courage of the Iranian people with real, sustained support."

The IRAN Act directs the U.S. government to modernize and strengthen its strategy to promote internet freedom in Iran, ensuring American sanctions do not unintentionally block tools that allow civilians to communicate freely and securely.

The IRAN Act would:

• Require the Secretary of State to implement and regularly update a comprehensive strategy to promote internet freedom in Iran, coordinating across federal agencies.
  
• Require the State Department to update the Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Internet Freedom and Access to Information in Iran, as required by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754).
  
• Add three new objectives to ensure the strategy reflects technologies used by Iranian civil society, including:
  
• Evaluating the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), satellite internet, and direct-to-cell (DTC) satellite technologies by civil society and human rights activists in Iran, and developing strategies to increase access to these technologies;
  
• Working with Treasury and Commerce to ensure sanctions enforcement does not prevent companies from providing the technology and tools necessary to access the open internet;
  
• Assessing the Iranian regime's ability to cut off all internet access and developing strategies to circumvent internet blackouts.
  
• Require all new or modified satellite or direct-to-cell internet licenses granted by the FCC to refrain from disabling or geo-blocking satellite or DTC coverage over the land territory of Iran, except where explicitly required by federal law or other applicable regulations.
  
• Require the Secretary of State, acting through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, to establish programs providing cybersecurity training and commercially available digital safety tools to help Iranians circumvent the Iranian regime's repressive censorship tools.
  
• Authorize the appropriation of $15,000,000 per year for FY2027 and FY2028 to fund these technologies in Iran, especially VPNs.

The IRAN Act is endorsed by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), FDD Action, Lantern, Psiphon, and NetFreedom Pioneers.