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Advancing Peace & Diplomacy
The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Internet Access in Iran
The United States has long maintained sanctions that prevent U.S.-based companies from doing business with Iran, even before the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. They have led many U.S. technology companies, such as Apple, Amazon, and Google, to deny Iranians access to tools and services that are vital to modern online communications. The result: Iranians increasingly lack the tools they need to circumvent government filters and have no choice but to use state-backed platforms, servers, and data infrastructure.
The sanctions have played right into the hands of Iran’s government, which has heavily invested in a “national internet” project to tightly control internet communications and cut off access to the global internet at its discretion. The U.S. has an obligation to make sure its sanctions are not reinforcing the Iranian government’s ability to censor, repress and silence its population. Access to the internet must be viewed as a fundamental human right in the modern world and is vital to bolstering freedom of expression in repressive states such as Iran.
📝 Read the full report here >
#SanctionsStory: The Real Impacts of Sanctions on Iran
Earlier this month, we asked Iranian Americans to share their #SanctionsStory about the impacts on their loved ones abroad.
Many Iranian Americans worry daily about the wellbeing of their loved ones back in Iran, who are struggling to feed their families, combat COVID, and get live-saving medication. A return to the JCPOA would knock out some of the worst sanctions and ease this humanitarian crisis.
Listen to what they have to say and then take action to urge Congress to provide Iran with humanitarian relief. Learn More >
Building Political Power
California’s Recall Election: What You Need to Know
California’s upcoming September 14th gubernatorial recall election will have profound implications for its residents, including efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, protect LGBTQ+ communities from harassment and discrimination, and support the many diverse populations that live in California. The frontrunner challenging Governor Newsom is Larry Elder, a right-wing radio host who has stated that he plans to reverse all mask and vaccine mandates and has voiced support for Trump’s military escalations against Iran.
It’s critical we get all Californians to vote “No” on the recall election. If you’re a California resident, your ballot should have already arrived by mail. Please make sure to fill it out and return it to a ballot dropbox, voting location, or your local county elections office by 8:00pm PST on September 14th. Find a ballot drop-off location here >
💭 Share your thoughts on California’s Recall Election >
📖 Learn more about California’s Recall Election >
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
From Our Staff
The Futility of Military ‘Solutions’
Assal Rad for The American Prospect
While we cannot turn back time, we can and must shift strategies moving forward. Yet, even as we are reeling from the disaster in Afghanistan, there are U.S. hawks calling for a longer or indefinite U.S. military presence in the country. To make matters worse, rather than learning from our missteps, proponents of U.S. belligerence are still pushing for the Biden administration to abandon its diplomatic efforts with Iran in favor of a more aggressive approach that could risk a hostile confrontation or another costly war. Read more >
In this week’s edition: the IAEA may censure Iran at an upcoming meeting (which Raisi has said will disrupt the negotiations), the Raisi’s administration’s position on the nuclear issue is still unclear, and a hardline MP has called Rouhani a traitor and called for his prosecution. All this and more info on an anti-Taliban protest broken up in Tehran by authorities this week.
📖 Read the latest Iran Unfiltered >
📥 Subscribe to receive Iran Unfiltered in your inbox >
Events
Never Forget: 9/11 and the 20 Year War on Terror
Saturday, September 11th 12:00 - 3:00 PM PT
NIAC Senior Research Fellow Dr. Assal Rad joins Medea Benjamin from CODEPINK, writer and researcher Vijay Prashad, whistleblower John Kiriakou, and others to discuss the watershed moment of the tragedy of 9/11, how it shaped our contemporary world, and the lessons of the last 20 years.
🎟️ RSVP here >
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#SanctionsStory: Lillie Yazdi
