Islamic Radio and Television Union denounces US seizure of Iranian websites

The Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU) has slammed the United States for seizing websites used by TV channels affiliated with the institution.

The IRTVU said in a statement on Wednesday that the move by the US administration relied on “unfounded” allegations.

It noted that the move proves “the effectiveness of all the media efforts exerted by the vulnerable peoples, despite the lack of resources of their media institutions.”

The statement noted that the US administration has failed to “subdue” the free people through its “misleading media” outlets.

The IRTVU added that Washington interferes in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of protecting freedoms and human rights, but “deliberately suppresses voices that disagree with it.”

The union further said it would confront the “irrational and immoral” decision by all possible means, and would restore those websites.

“We would resort to administrative and legal measures to confront that decision.”

It also called on all media organizations and institutions to launch a wide campaign to support the targeted TV channels.

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Late on Tuesday, 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 also appeared on the website of the English-language TV news network Press TV, 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.

Over the past years, the United States has for several times taken similar measures against Iranian media outlets.

The US tech giant Google has taken on Press TV more than any other Iranian outlet given the expanse of its viewership and readership.

In March, Google for the seventh time blocked the English-language news network’s access to its official YouTube account without any prior notice, citing "violations of community guidelines."

Facebook also informed Press TV in the same month that its account had been shut down for what it claimed to be the Iranian news channel’s failure to “follow our Community Standards.” The page was reinstated a few days later.

Press TV has repeatedly fallen victim to censorship on multiple fronts, including Twitter and Instagram, besides Google and its services.

Press TV has announced that its website will be available on the .ir domain.

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

www.presstv.co.uk