Designation of Arvan Cloud and Affiliates That Have Aided Internet Censorship in Iran

Today, the United States is announcing additional sanctions in our effort to support the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the freedom of expression both online and offline including the freedom to access information via the Internet.

We are designating the Iran-based technology company known as “Arvan Cloud” for its role in the Iranian regime’s censorship of the Internet in Iran.  Arvan Cloud maintains a close, collaborative relationship with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

We are also designating the co-founders of Arvan Cloud, CEO Pouya Pirhosseinloo and technology lead Farhad Fatemi, as well as its affiliate, the Dubai-based Arvancloud Global Technologies L.L.C.

Today’s action is just one component in our multi-pronged strategy to support and preserve the free flow of information to the Iranian people in the face of the Iranian regime’s unprecedented campaign of Internet disruptions and censorship, part of a broader crackdown on dissent.

The United States will continue to support the development and operation of anti-censorship tools that millions of people around the world, including in Iran, use to stay connected online despite authoritarian efforts to disrupt their access to the global internet.  And we will continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for violations and abuses of human rights and actions that enable the mass suppression and censorship of the Iranian people.

Today’s action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes sanctions on persons who engage in censorship or other activities with respect to Iran.  This action does not affect the U.S. government’s continued support for the Iranian people’s ability to freely access information both offline and online such as through the provision of Internet communication tools to the people of Iran, including under Iran General License D-2.  Please also see FAQ 1087 and FAQ 1088 for any questions on the provision of cloud services for the Iranian people.