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U.S. Lifts Technology Sales Ban For Iranians

Helene Imperiale |
May 31, 2013 | 10:29 a.m. PDT

Executive Producer

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The United States has allowed for the sale of mobile phones, software and other communication devices to the people of Iran.  These eased restrictions are intended to promote political freedom within the country.This comes at a very particular time, as the Iranian Presidential Election is June 14. As seen with the 2009 Presidential Election, information communication technologies played a crucial role in mobilizing against the Ahmadinejad regime leading to the rise of the Green Movement.  Online communication technologies and specifically social media were used in organizing demonstrations.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department,"The people of Iran should be able to communicate and access information without being subject to reprisals by their government."

However, it is important to note that the sale of communication devices will only be to the Iranian people. According to BBC, “the government and people on a list of "specially designated nationals" remained barred from export licenses.”

Now with these regulations, it will be the first time that iPhone will be legally exported to Iran.

The United States, in the past few months has imposed even tougher economic sanction on the country because of its nuclear program. However, Iran states that the expansion of its nuclear program it’s solely used for peaceful purposes.

The sale of new technology to Iranian citizens raises the question- who does economic sanctions hurt in the end, the people or the government?  Economic sanctions is a way to force pressure on a country, however, ususal it is the people who suffer. 

 



 

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