HR7380-119

What This Bill Does

The IRAN Act makes the Secretary of State the lead federal official for Iranian internet-freedom work, updates the Iran Threat Reduction strategy to cover VPNs, direct-to-cell satellite technologies, eSIMs, sanctions coordination, and blackout circumvention, and requires an updated strategy to Congress within 120 days. It directs the FCC to condition future satellite and direct-to-cell licenses so U.S.-licensed operators do not intentionally disable, degrade, or geo-block coverage over Iran except for legal, interference, or imminent network-security reasons. It also creates State Department cybersecurity programs for journalists, human-rights defenders, and civil-society actors in Iran, authorizes $15 million for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, and makes clear that the bill does not authorize sanctions or export-control violations.

Who Benefits and How

Iranian internet users, journalists, human-rights defenders, and civil-society actors benefit from more coordinated U.S. support for VPNs, eSIMs, direct-to-cell connectivity, encrypted messaging, digital-safety tools, phishing warnings, and internet-blackout circumvention. U.S. technology companies that provide lawful connectivity tools benefit from clearer coordination among State, Treasury, and Commerce so sanctions enforcement does not unintentionally block civilian access. Congressional foreign-affairs, commerce, intelligence, and appropriations committees receive strategy updates and satellite-coverage reports.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The State Department must lead interagency strategy, operate cybersecurity training and tool programs, report quarterly metrics, oppose Iran-specific satellite exclusions at the ITU, and submit annual coverage reports for five years. Treasury, Commerce, FCC, and GAO take on consultation, licensing, sanctions, export-control, and evaluation duties. U.S. satellite and direct-to-cell licensees face license conditions limiting intentional coverage exclusion over Iran. Federal taxpayers fund the $30 million authorization across fiscal years 2027 and 2028, while the Iranian government faces reduced ability to impose internet blackouts or surveillance unchecked.

Key Provisions

• Designates the Secretary of State as the lead federal official for Iranian internet-freedom policy and strategy updates.
• Requires the Iran internet-freedom strategy to evaluate VPNs, direct-to-cell satellite technologies, sanctions coordination, and blackout circumvention.
• Requires FCC license conditions that prevent intentional satellite or direct-to-cell geo-blocking over Iran except for legal, interference, or network-security reasons.
• Creates State Department cybersecurity training, digital-safety tools, encrypted messaging support, and anti-phishing education for Iranian civil society.
• Authorizes $15 million for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 while preserving sanctions and export-control limits.