The United States has blocked websites accused of pro-Iranian disinformation

The seized domains are American-owned but were used by Iranian media, according to the US in violation of the sanctions against Tehran

(photo: Afp via Getty Images) The United States has suspended access to dozens of domains websites linked to Iran, thus blocking many news sites accused of spreading disinformation online. The US Justice Department made it known on Tuesday with a note. "In compliance with court directives, the United States seized 33 websites used by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union (Irtvu) and three websites operated by Kata'ib Hezballah (Kh), in violation of US sanctions," he said. explained the US Department of Justice in its statement. "Elements of the Iranian government, under the cover of the press, have targeted the United States to undermine American democratic processes," the statement continues.

The Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union had been reported by the US government last October for its alleged attempts to influence US elections by spreading fake news. Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi paramilitary group that supports Iran, was included by the US on the list of terrorist organizations ten years ago.

The website of Press tv, the Iranian state broadcaster in English language. Users who try to link to this, as well as other sites, will see an inscription that reads that “The domain presstv.com has been seized by the United States government in accordance with a seizure warrant under 18 USC [...] such as part of a law enforcement action by the FBI ”. The domains belong to American companies but, according to the Justice Department, the foreign media did not have the necessary licenses to use them.

(photo: screen from Press tv) An Iranian official at the United Nations has called the American seizure of Iranian domains in the United States "illegal". Contacted by the Iranian news agency Irna, the official denounced the initiative as a "limitation of freedom of expression".

It is not the first time that the United States has seized domain names of sites it accuses to spread disinformation. Last October, the Department of Justice announced the removal of nearly 100 websites linked to the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Relations between Iran and the United States have deteriorated in recent years following the withdrawal of President Donald Trump the Tehran nuclear deal and the imposition of heavy economic sanctions on the country. The blocking of these sites comes a few days after the election as president of Iran of the ultra-conservative magistrate Ebrahim Raisi, known for his hostility towards the West.


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Topics

Fake news Internet Iran United States globalData.fldTopic = "Fake news , Internet, Iran, United States "

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