IRAN Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7380

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-20: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Tenney asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 7380, a bill originally introduced by Representative Swalwell of California, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Last Updated

2026-05-15T08:07:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Internet Reach and Access Now Act (IRAN Act) aims to enhance internet freedom and access to information for Iranian citizens by improving U.S. government coordination, supporting secure digital tools, and preventing unnecessary restrictions on satellite and cellular coverage over Iran. It addresses Iran's government disruptions of internet services, which hinder communication and human rights, while ensuring U.S. sanctions do not unintentionally block access to helpful technologies.

Key Provisions

• Leadership and Coordination (Sec. 3): Designates the Secretary of State as the lead federal official for promoting internet freedom in Iran, coordinating agency efforts, and updating a required strategy on digital freedom initiatives.
• Strategy Updates (Sec. 3): Requires the Secretary of State to review and update an existing strategy (from the 2012 Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act) within 120 days of enactment, adding focus on:
• Evaluating and increasing access to virtual private networks (VPNs—encrypted connections that bypass censorship) and direct-to-cell (DTC) satellite technologies for civil society and activists.
• Collaborating with the Departments of Treasury and Commerce to ensure sanctions enforcement does not block tools for Iranian civilians to access the open internet.
• Assessing Iran's ability to impose total internet blackouts and developing circumvention strategies.
• The updated strategy must be submitted to Congress in unclassified form, with a possible classified annex, and reviewed ongoing.
• Satellite and DTC Coverage Protections (Sec. 4):
• Mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to condition new licenses or grants on not intentionally disabling or blocking satellite or DTC coverage over Iran, except for reasons like preventing harmful interference or addressing immediate network threats (with quick restoration required).
• Directs the Secretary of State, with Commerce and FCC, to oppose international proposals (e.g., at the International Telecommunication Union) that exclude Iran from U.S.-licensed coverage.
• Requires annual reports to Congress for five years on advocacy actions and any coverage exclusions.
• Cybersecurity Support for Civil Society (Sec. 5):
• Instructs the Secretary of State to establish programs within 180 days, providing:
• Remote or in-person cybersecurity training for Iranian journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors.
• Access to open-source or commercial digital safety tools, such as VPNs and end-to-end encrypted messaging apps.
• Multilingual materials warning about regime-controlled apps and phishing (fraudulent attempts to steal data).
• Requires quarterly metrics on program reach (e.g., trainees, users) and an independent evaluation by the Comptroller General after three years.
• Funding (Sec. 6): Authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to support these programs, including expanding secure VPN access; funds remain available until spent.
• Safeguards and Definitions (Secs. 7-8): Ensures the Act does not override presidential emergency powers, authorize sanctioned transactions, or require prohibited activities. Defines terms like "appropriate congressional committees" (key House and Senate panels), "eSIM technology" (embedded chips for remote cellular activation without physical cards), and "VPN services."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 414 of the 2012 Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act by expanding the required internet freedom strategy with new elements on VPNs, DTC satellites, sanctions impacts, and blackout circumvention; adds a mandate for ongoing reviews and updates.
• Introduces new FCC licensing conditions and State Department advocacy roles not previously specified in law.
• Builds on but does not supersede existing internet freedom authorities, adding specific training, tools, and reporting for Iranian civil society.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases coordination burdens on the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, and FCC; requires new programs, reports, and international advocacy, potentially straining resources but supported by dedicated funding.
• Iranian Citizens and Civil Society: Enhances access to secure internet tools, training, and circumvention methods, improving communication during shutdowns, human rights advocacy, and resilience against surveillance—without directly providing services in violation of sanctions.
• International Relations: May heighten U.S.-Iran tensions by challenging regime internet controls but promotes U.S. values of free information globally; could influence ITU decisions on satellite coverage, affecting relations with other nations.
• Tech and Telecom Sectors: U.S.-licensed satellite and DTC providers must maintain Iran coverage (with exceptions), potentially expanding market opportunities while navigating sanctions; encourages tool development without mandating sales in Iran.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Departments of State (lead role in programs and strategy), Treasury and Commerce (sanctions coordination), FCC (licensing oversight), and congressional committees (oversight and funding).
• Iranian Civil Society: Journalists, human rights activists, and citizens benefiting from training, tools, and coverage to bypass censorship.
• Private Sector: Satellite operators (e.g., DTC providers), VPN and encryption tech companies (gaining support for access), and telecom firms (subject to FCC conditions).
• International Bodies: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where U.S. opposes Iran exclusions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces U.S. sanctions framework by including saving clauses that prohibit unauthorized transactions, preserving the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; ensures compliance with export controls while carving out humanitarian digital access.
• Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment values by promoting free speech and information access abroad, without direct U.S. domestic impacts; avoids compelled speech or services by telecom firms through narrow exceptions.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship signals consensus on countering Iranian repression; could bolster U.S. soft power in human rights but risks escalation if perceived as interference; emphasizes policy clarification to avoid unintended sanctions harms, potentially influencing broader U.S. digital freedom strategies globally.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

Cosponsors (17)

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-20: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Tenney asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 7380, a bill originally introduced by Representative Swalwell of California, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-02-04: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-02-04: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Internet Reach and Access Now Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (10 pages)