US eases internet restrictions on Iran, to help protesters

The United States announced Friday it was easing export restrictions to improve Iranians' access to the internet, which the Tehran government has severely curbed amid a crackdown on protesters.

In the aftermath of a woman's death in the custody of the country's morality police, Iran cut off internet services to much of the population in what the United States said was a bid "to prevent the world from watching its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters."

"In the face of these steps, we are going to help make sure the Iranian people are not kept isolated and in the dark," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"This is a concrete step to provide meaningful support to Iranians demanding that their basic rights be respected."

Iran has been rocked by a week of bloody protests over the death last week of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for "improperly" wearing the Islamic headscarf.

The 22-year-old Kurdish woman spent three days in a coma after being detained.

The US move will allow technology companies to "expand the range of internet services available to Iranians," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.

The modified export license will allow access to...