US seizure of pro-resistance websites belies Washington claim of advocating freedom of expression: Analyst

A political analyst says a recent US move to seize website domains of a number of Iranian television networks belies America's claim of advocating freedom of expression.

“America's claim about [advocating] freedom and democracy as well as freedom of expression is nothing more than a lie and hypocrisy, and everyone knows that the current president of the United States has declared that American democracy is ‘in peril’,” Amin Hatit told Press TV on Wednesday.

A message appeared on the websites of a series of Iranian and regional television networks that claimed their domains had been “seized by the United States Government,” accompanied by the seals of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Commerce Department

The notice, which appeared late Tuesday on the websites of English-language TV news network Press TV and a number of other Iranian and regional news channels, cited US sanctions laws as the reason for the seizure.

The websites of Iran's Arabic-language Al Alam television news network, Yemen’s al-Masirah TV channel and Bahrain's Lualua television network were also among the targeted outlets.

Hatit said the measure, which was taken following a decision by Washington to withdraw or cut down the number of American troops in the region, indicates the emergence of a particular type of confrontation between the US and pro-resistance countries that calls for “awareness, vigilance and readiness” of those nations.

US decision to block pro-resistance media outlets proves their influence: Yemen

A senior Yemeni official decries a US decision to block pro-resistance media outlets, stressing the measure proves the outlets have been successful in “getting their messages across.”

Through shutting the voice of the resistance, the United States seeks to take revenge and prevent exposure of realities, and proves the hostile nature of Washington as well as its political defeat in the face of the resistance front, he further elaborated.

He said the actions of the West in general and the behavior of the Americans in particular are based on the fact that in the United States there is no tolerance for opposing ideas or those who “unmask realities, crimes and animosities” of the US toward other nations.    

The analyst warned that after reducing its military presence in the Middle East, the United States will launch a multilateral war against the resistance front.

He explained that one of these battles is psychological warfare aimed at creating sedition and triggering an economic war, with the purpose of preventing development, progress and investment.

Regarding the media battle, Hatit said that a campaign of media pressure, combined with silencing media rivals, aims to undermine trust and stability in the countries supporting the resistance front.

Tehran has censured the US move to seize website domains of a number of Iranian television networks as being part of a "systematic attempt by the United States to undermine freedom of expression on a global level and to silence independent voices in media."

Iran slams US seizure of its websites as ‘disgraceful’ breach of freedom of speech

Iran slams US seizure of the domain of the websites of a number of Iranian television networks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh blasted as “disgraceful” Washington’s policy of double standards and regretted that the “current US administration has exactly followed the path of the previous administration, which will only lead to a double defeat for Washington.”

Khatibzadeh said that Iran will pursue the “illegal and bullying” measure through legal channels.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk