Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York’s 24th district and Congressman Dave Min of California’s 47th district have sent a bipartisan letter to President Donald J. Trump, calling for immediate action to support protesters in Iran amid an ongoing internet blackout.
The protests, which began in Tehran in late December 2025 due to economic difficulties and political repression, have spread to more than 185 cities across all provinces in Iran. Reports indicate that at least 2,000 people have been killed and over 10,700 arrested as authorities respond with force. On January 8, Iranian officials intensified their crackdown by implementing a nationwide communications shutdown, restricting mobile data and cellular networks while attempting to block satellite-based services.
In their letter, Representatives Tenney and Min urged the administration to use available technologies—including secure internet tools and satellite communications—to help Iranians bypass government controls and remain connected during the unrest.
“The Iranian regime is trying to crush peaceful protests by cutting the Iranian people off from the world,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Access to information is not a luxury, it is a lifeline. When authoritarian governments use violence and censorship to silence their citizens, the United States has both a moral responsibility and a strategic interest to help people communicate, organize, and speak freely. I applaud President Trump for his statements, which made it clear that the United States will stand with the brave Iranians standing up to the brutal mullahs. This letter urges President Trump to continue leveraging every available tool to support the Iranian people as they fight for freedom, dignity, and a future free from tyranny. The Iranian people have no greater friend in their fight to Make Iran Great Again than President Trump.”
Claudia Tenney has represented New York’s 24th district in Congress since 2021 after replacing Anthony Brindisi. She previously served in the New York State Assembly from 2011 through 2016. Born in New Hartford in 1961, Tenney currently lives in Canandaigua. She holds degrees from Colgate University (BA) and the University of Cincinnati (JD).
