UANI Applauds U.S. Support For Internet Freedom In Iran

We urge the expeditious implementation of a satellite-based internet network to the people of Iran 

(New York, N.Y.) — United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement today applauding the U.S. Treasury Department for issuing Iran General License (GL) D-2 to increase support for internet freedom in Iran, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for his intention to seek an exemption from U.S. sanctions for Starlink service over Iran, and a bipartisan endorsement of these efforts in the U.S. Congress.

“It is reprehensible that the Iranian regime has effectively closed off tens of millions of Iranians from each other and the world beyond their borders, and a clear indication that it fears the widespread protests that began after the regime’s so-called “morality police” murdered 22-year-old Mahsa Amini for having shown her hair in public.

The Iranian people are bravely and courageously risking their lives. They know – and the world knows – that when the Iranian regime shuts down the Internet, major crackdowns, including mass arrests and murders, are on the horizon. During the last major shutdown in November 2019, as many as 1,500 people were killed.  

The technology to keep Iranians connected to the Internet – to organize and document the brutality of regime forces against them – is available. UANI applauds the U.S. Treasury Department for issuing a general license today to bolster these efforts and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for first announcing his intention to seek an exemption from U.S. sanctions to provide Starlink service over Iran. Now there needs to be an expeditious implementation of a satellite-based internet network to the people of Iran. UANI also credits Representatives Claudia Tenney and Tom Malinowski for leading a bipartisan letter backing Starlink service over Iran.

Members of Congress can further support the Iranian people, strengthen their commitment to human rights, and enhance U.S. security by introducing legislation in the name of Mahsa Amini recognizing that it is in the national interests of the United States to help prevent atrocities against Iranian protesters by approving the use of technologies that keep Iranians connected to the Internet.” 

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