US Blocks 92 Internet Domains of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Government
92 internet domains that presented themselves as news agencies but were actually operating on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and government to promote Islamic Republic propaganda have been blocked by the US Department of Justice.
The US Department of Justice has shut down 92 internet domains of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that were being used for a “global disinformation campaign.” According to seized documents, four of these domains appeared to be news agencies but were actually controlled by the Revolutionary Guards with the aim of promoting Islamic Republic propaganda to influence US domestic and foreign policy. This violates the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Other seized domains in different parts of the world were also promoting the Islamic Republic. Furthermore, seized documents showed how these 92 domains were being used to violate US sanctions against the Iranian government and the Revolutionary Guards.
The US Deputy Attorney General for National Security stated: “We are using all our tools to prevent the misuse of American companies and social networks for Iran propaganda aimed at influencing American public opinion and sowing discord.”
John Demers continued: “Disinformation operations have found a new marketplace for spreading false information in an attempt to threaten our democracy. Today’s action demonstrates that we can defend the value of transparency using various laws.”
The Northern California US Attorney also announced the blocking of 92 Iranian websites that “spread false information around the world,” saying: “This important work will continue. Iran cannot hide behind disinformation websites. If Iran wants to use American facilities, it must show its true face.”
Cooperation with Facebook, Twitter, and Google
John Bennett, a special agent of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, said this action was the result of FBI cooperation with Google, Facebook, and Twitter. According to him, this case demonstrates why the FBI has prioritized cooperation with social networks and technology companies.
According to Bennett, such cooperation enables faster information exchange and improves protection against threats to national security and democratic values.
The FBI special agent also urged people to be cautious about information they obtain and share on social networks. He stated: “Every citizen must play their part by viewing information critically and seeking reliable sources.”
Bennett emphasized that everyone must work to protect America’s democratic system against “foreign enemies.”
Foreign Agents Registration Act Violation
Four domains named newsstand7.com, usjournal.net, usjournal.us, and twtoday.net have been seized under the “Foreign Agents Registration Act” (FARA). This law specifies regulations for registering foreign news agencies. FARA also monitors these agencies during their operations to ensure they publish accurate and correct information.
These four domains appeared to be independent news agencies but were actually directly or indirectly managed by the Revolutionary Guards, with the aim of promoting Iranian propaganda to influence Americans to change US domestic and foreign policy regarding Iran and the Middle East.
These domains targeted American audiences without being registered under FARA regulations and without disclosing to the audience that they were working for the Iranian government or the Revolutionary Guards.
The remaining 88 domains targeted audiences in Western Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. They presented themselves as legitimate news agencies while actually being managed by the Revolutionary Guards to distribute false information in favor of the Iranian regime worldwide.
The Iranian government and the Revolutionary Guards were using US domains and websites without permission from the “Office of Foreign Assets Control.” All 92 domains were registered and managed by American companies. Neither the Revolutionary Guards nor the Iranian government had licenses from the Office of Foreign Assets Control to use these domains.
Source: DW
