The report from Iran International indicated that the European Union is considering delisting ArvanCloud from its sanctions list. However, this decision is pending confirmation, according to a source close to European diplomats.
ArvanCloud has taken steps to contest its sanctions, including filing a complaint with the European Court of Justice and lobbying European governments through political channels. Additionally, the company announced the termination of its contract with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Iran.
Insiders have suggested that ArvanCloud’s international supporters argue the company provided millions of Iranian citizens with access to a free internet during the Woman, Life Freedom protests in 2022-2023. This purported contribution might have influenced the EU’s reconsideration of sanctions against ArvanCloud.
The USA sanctioned Arvan Cloud due to its collaboration with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security in censoring the internet, thereby violating human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and access to information online for the Iranian people. The co-founders and affiliate were also sanctioned for their involvement in these activities.
Iran’s extensive history of internet censorship, which includes blocking tens of thousands of websites since 2002 and extending censorship to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, underscores the importance of ArvanCloud’s role. Moreover, traditional media in Iran faces significant censorship, covering books, films, and other content, with restrictions based on Islamic beliefs and political content.