The IRAN Act was Introduced in the House to Support Internet Freedom in Iran

Washington, DC — Today, Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY24) introduced the IRAN Act (H.R.9299) in the House of Representatives! The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) helped spearhead efforts to address internet freedom in Iran, collaborating closely with policymakers including Reps. Swalwell and Tenney.

PAAIA helped secure the bill’s 18 original cosponsors including Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA1), Ro Khanna (D-CA17), Maria Salazar (R-FL27), Gerald Connolly (D-VA11), Michael Lawler (R-NY17), Virginia Foxx (R-NC5), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY11), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL12), Anna Eshoo (D-CA16), Rob Wittman (R-VA1), Scott Peters (D-CA50), Brad Schneider (D-IL10), Barbara Lee (D-CA12), Cory Mills (R-FL7), Ted Lieu (D-CA36), Stephanie Bice (R-OK5), Mike Levin (D-CA49), and Jim Himes (D-CT4). 

What is the IRAN Act? 

The Internet Reach and Access Now Act (IRAN Act) mandates that the Secretary of State’s duties permanently include implementing and regularly updating a comprehensive strategy to promote internet freedom in Iran. The IRAN Act includes three objectives for this comprehensive strategy to ensure it accurately reflects the needs of Iranian civil society: 

1. develop guidance for the Treasury Department to ensure that sanctions enforcement does not prevent companies from providing Iranian civilians with the necessary tools to access the open internet;  

2. evaluate the usage of virtual private networks (VPNs) by human rights activists in Iran and develop strategies for increasing their accessibility; and 

3. assess the Islamic Republic’s ability to cut off all internet access and develop strategies for Iranian civil society to circumvent internet blackouts 

Upon passage of the IRAN Act, the State Department must submit a report of the updated comprehensive strategy to the relevant Congressional Committees within 120 days.  

Why is the IRAN Act Necessary? 

The Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) has essentially weaponized the internet against its citizens. With frequent regularity since the start of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, the IRI has shut down the internet to suppress dissent and increasingly uses it as a surveillance tool to keep tabs on activists and civil society. In essence, the Iranian regime has transformed the internet from a communication tool into a weapon against freedom of expression. In fact, the Freedom House Index ranks Iran’s level of internet freedom as the third worst in the world.  

For the first time ever, the IRAN Act will create a legal requirement for the U.S. government to implement a strategy to promote internet access for all Iranian civilians. This is one of the most important steps we can take to support the Iranian people in their fight for freedom and human rights. Access to the open internet benefits political organizing, allows for the free flow of information and the exchange of ideas, and connects Iranians with each other and the outside world.  

In addition, PAAIA’s 2023 National Public Opinion Survey reveals that almost half of Iranian Americans (47%) have an immediate family member living in Iran and 44% of them communicate with their family at least “several times a week.” The survey also found that the primary methods of communication are encrypted messaging applications, social media, and internet communication services like Google Chat and Skype. The internet plays a monumental role in the lives of Iranians who yearn to stay in contact with their loved ones.  

What is PAAIA’s Role in Supporting Internet Freedom for Iran? 

For years, PAAIA has remained on the frontlines of the fight for internet freedom in Iran. PAAIA worked with members of Congress to urge the Administration to strengthen and expand the General License D-1 to support the free flow of information and internet access for the people of Iran. These efforts culminated in the introduction of a General License D-2 after the start of Woman, Life, Freedom protests in September 2022. 

In 2023, PAAIA supported bipartisan amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) proposed by Representatives Porter and Swalwell. The amendments sought to combat internet censorship in Iran and demanded an updated strategy to support internet freedom in Iran. Unfortunately, the amendments were not included in the final version of the bill, but Rep. Swalwell’s amendment laid the groundwork for today’s introduction of the IRAN Act. 

PAAIA subsequently met with Rep. Swalwell’s office to discuss prioritizing internet freedom in Iran, particularly in relation to the Women, Life, Freedom uprising. Our productive conversation emphasized internet access as a vital means of bolstering the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. Following this pivotal meeting, PAAIA played a role in shaping the IRAN Act. We served as a consultant to Rep. Swalwell’s office, providing valuable insights and guidance during the drafting process. 

Most recently, PAAIA is collaborating with Representatives Swalwell and Tenney to build support for the IRAN Act.  By highlighting the detrimental impact internet censorship has on human rights in Iran, PAAIA was able to help secure 10 cosponsors prior to the bill’s introduction.  Internet freedom in Iran is essential for Iranian civil society to be able to freely and safely share information within the country and with the outside world.  With this in mind, PAAIA will continue to garner support for the IRAN Act and work with elected officials to develop other strategies to support the Iranian people and their democratic aspirations.  

What Can I Do to Support the IRAN Act? 

The best way to take action to support the IRAN Act is to contact your members of Congress and encourage them to cosponsor the legislation. PAAIA has created an easy-to-use action alert that allows you to quickly send a pre-written letter to your representative. 

If supporting the people of Iran in their fight for democracy and human rights is important to you, take a few minutes to let your representative know where you stand on the IRAN Act. After all, they represent you.