Blinken says US looking for ways to facilitate Iranian people's access to the internet
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that the Biden administration is "definitely looking at ways to facilitate people's access to technology services in Iran."
The American official's remarks come at a time when Iran is the scene of widespread protests against the Islamic Republic's government, and Iranian authorities are using disruptions in internet services as a means to counter the protests.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department has issued a general license that allows companies to provide internet services to the Iranian people without fear of sanctions.
Anthony Blinken noted in a press conference that this new general license “allows companies to provide services such as cloud, privacy technology, security technology, hardware and software to Iranians so they can more easily connect with themselves and the rest of the world.”
He then said: "Companies can independently refer to the Office of Foreign Assets Control to make sure whether this license includes their technology."
However, some obstacles remain because some technology services require hardware. Mr. Blinken did not say at the press conference whether the United States would work with companies to export this hardware to Iran.
A day earlier, US State Department spokesman Ned Price had said it was up to private companies to take “appropriate steps” to ensure Iranians have access to the internet. He did not elaborate on whether the new license would make a tangible difference.
He stated that the Treasury Department has taken the necessary steps by issuing a general license, allowing more companies to provide software and hardware services to the Iranian people.
Continuing his remarks on Tuesday, Anthony Blinken also said that in addition to issuing a blanket authorization, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Iran's moral security police for its actions in violating women's rights and violating the right to peaceful protest.
Referring to the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Ershad patrol, he said: "Mahsa should have been alive today. The only reason she is not alive now is that a ruthless regime took her life because of the decision she made to cover herself."
"Iranian women have the right to wear what they want," Mr. Blinken added. "They have the right to be free from violence. They have the right to be free from harassment. That's true in Iran, and it should be true everywhere."
Source: Radio Farda
