Sponsors (78)
Official title: To support human rights and internet freedom in Iran and hold the Iranian regime accountable for the repression of the Iranian people.
Introduced February 20, 2026 by Michael Lawler · Last progress February 20, 2026
The bill increases U.S. support for Iranian access to information, independent media, and financial accountability to pressure abuses and empower citizens, but does so at the risk of higher costs, legal and privacy harms to partners and companies, operational vulnerabilities, and heightened geopolitical and diplomatic tensions.
People in Iran (protesters, journalists, civic groups) would gain expanded access to resilient, uncensored communications (satellite/mesh/portable systems, VPNs) and Persian‑language broadcasting, improving their ability to receive and share independent information and organize.
Iranian kleptocrats and illicit networks would face stronger financial pressure through a FinCEN 'Iran Kleptocracy Initiative', improved public reporting, and coordinated allied asset‑seizure efforts, increasing chances of asset recovery and legal accountability.
Congress, taxpayers, and policymakers would get more transparency and oversight (updated Internet‑freedom strategy, written determinations on named actors, annual performance metrics), improving coordination and public accountability of U.S. policy toward Iran.
U.S. taxpayers and broader national interests could face escalated geopolitical tensions and potential Iranian retaliation if expanded internet access, media support, and sanctions are perceived as interference.
Nonprofits, local partners, independent journalists, and Iranian activists could face heightened risk of reprisals, exposure, or harm if technical assistance, pilots, or publicized lists compromise identities or methods.
Taxpayers and federal budgets would bear increased costs from funding pilots, broadcasting support, expanded enforcement, and administrative staffing for investigations and international coordination.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Directs updated Iran internet-freedom strategy, DIU-funded deployable communications pilots, a FinCEN kleptocracy initiative, Treasury sanctions-risk reporting, mandatory presidential sanction determinations on named actors, and media assistance for Iranian independent outlets.
Directs U.S. agencies to expand and coordinate efforts to promote internet access, media freedom, and accountability for Iranian human-rights abuses. It updates the U.S. Iran internet-freedom strategy, tasks the Defense Innovation Unit to support deployable communications technologies, creates a FinCEN initiative to target kleptocracy, requires Treasury-led analysis of Iranian elites and parastatals and their impact on U.S. exposure, and mandates expedited presidential responses to congressional requests about potential sanctionable actors. Also expresses congressional support for U.S. and international broadcasting, assistance to independent Iranian journalists, grants for secure communications and relocation, and annual performance metrics for media outreach. The bill authorizes modest DIU funding and sets deadlines for multiple required reports to Congress.