Advancing the Free Flow of Information for the Iranian People

Washington, D.C. -- As the world watches Iranians demand fundamental freedoms through mass protests, the U.S. Department of State took action to advance Internet freedom and the free flow of information for the Iranian people, issuing a General License to provide them greater access to digital communications to counter the Iranian government's censorship.

"We are taking this step against a stark backdrop. The Iranian government has cut off access to the Internet for most of its 80 million citizens to prevent them — and the world — from watching its violent crackdown on peaceful protestors. It is clear that the Iranian government is afraid of its own people. Mahsa Amini is senselessly, tragically dead, and now the government is violently suppressing peaceful protesters rightly angry about her loss." said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Secretary Blinken continued: "In the face of these steps, we are going to help make sure the Iranian people are not kept isolated and in the dark. This is a concrete step to provide meaningful support to Iranians demanding that their basic rights be respected."

In response to this move, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) said: "I commend the State Department for taking this important step to circumvent the Iranian regime's internet ban after my colleagues and I urged the administration that they do so. As the Ayatollah's regime continues to crack down on brave Iranian women and men calling for freedom, equality, and justice for Mahsa Amini, the United States must continue taking every possible step to support the people of Iran."

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