In letter to ITU, Iran slams 'unlawful' use of communication technology in foreign-backed riots

A senior Iranian diplomat has slammed the “unlawful” use of communication technology amidst recent foreign-backed riots in the country, urging “immediate and concrete action” against the issue.

Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, made the remark in a letter to Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin on Tuesday.

He said the "horrendous crimes", including the deliberate killing and cruel treatment of civilians and security personnel by the organized terrorist groups, mirror the brutality of Daesh terrorists.

He added that such externally-orchestrated acts of terrorism had also targeted public facilities, critical infrastructure, and private property.

“The scale of the violence, including by the effort to hijack peaceful protests, constitutes a gross violation of international and domestic law,” the Iranian ambassador emphasized.

Pointing to the terrorists’ misuse of modern communication technology, he slammed the unauthorized deployment and operation of Starlink satellite terminals within Iran's territory.

• FM stresses Iranians’ resolve to defend ntl. sovereignty, security in face of foreign-backed interference

“These terminals are being exploited by organized terrorist groups to coordinate sabotage, train operatives, and disrupt peaceful protests, thereby transforming a communication platform into an instrument of terrorism,” Bahreini explained.

He reiterated Iran’s clear and consistent position on this unauthorized operation, noting that despite the decisions by the ITU Radio Regulations Board (RRB), the illegal transmissions continue unabated.

He urged the administration of Starlink to “take immediate action to disable Starlink terminals unlawfully operating within the territory of Iran.”

He asserted Iran’s sovereign right and duty to take all appropriate measures to stop such unauthorized transmissions, which pose a threat to its national security and safety, as per Resolution 22.

He said the actions taken by Iran “were necessary and targeted” and were in response to “the explicit use of this technology for terrorist coordination.”

He added that Iran has taken proportionate measures to ensure public safety and national security once it became evident that terrorist groups were exploiting Internet connectivity for their activities.

He noted that Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology has reiterated the country’s commitment to restoring and maintaining secure communication platforms for the public.

“Given the established link between these unauthorized services and terrorist activities, and the persistent failure to comply with ITU RRB decisions, we request the ITU and the Radio Regulations Board, within their respective mandates, to take immediate and concrete action to resolve this issue and prevent its recurrence,” Bahreini said.

Iran calls on the ITU to remain fully committed to enforcing its regulations and addressing this serious threat to national security and the international regulatory order, he said.

"We expect the ITU's full commitment to enforcing its regulations and addressing this serious threat to national security and the international regulatory order," he added. 

Iranian cities became the scene of protest over economic problems in the past few days. The protests were initially peaceful but turned into violent riot by foreign-backed elements, which resulted in damage to public property and left a number of policemen and security forces, as well as civilians dead.

• Mayor says riots inflicted over $20 million in damage on Tehran

Iran’s police officials say they have shown maximum restraint towards the rioting and tried hard to separate ordinary people concerned about the rising cost of living from rioters and terrorists attacking security forces.

Iranian officials underline the need for distinguishing peaceful protests from riots, warning about foreign interference in the country's internal affairs.  

Meanwhile, the president of Iran’s National Center for Cyberspace, Mohammad-Amin Aqamiri, said on Monday that access to the global internet will remain restricted until officials determine that full security has been restored.

He added that lifting the internet ban, imposed on January 9, requires further patience and deliberation.

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