H.R. 2614 — Maximum Support Act

This section declares it the policy of the United States to provide maximum support to the people of Iran in their desire to bring about a new political system in Iran based upon democracy, human rights, and rule of law for all citizens of Iran.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Treasury and the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, to establish an interagency task force within 180 days of enactment to support internet freedom and counter censorship efforts in Iran, including by developing and submitting to Congress an unclassified strategy with the following elements: (1) efforts to establish a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to enable secure, uncensored internet access, with protections against surveillance, high speed/reliability, and adaptation to new censorship; (2) use of enhanced satellite communications via direct-to-cell technology and eSIM/eSIM device distribution programs; (3) description of Iranian regime restrictions on importing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 devices (including registration requirements and past bans), steps to counter such restrictions, and measures to prevent regime profiteering via secondary/black markets; (4) a vetting plan for technology companies or individuals to ensure no regime affiliations; (5) identification of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-built or regime-controlled VPNs used for surveillance, plus a plan to counter them and raise public awareness; (6) support for uncensorable, unjammable satellite-to-cell internet technology without IRGC-controlled hardware transfers/sales; (7) secure communication tools, encryption, and cybersecurity software for high-risk users; (8) cybersecurity training for Iranian activists, dissidents, and journalists; (9) rapid response technical support for cyber threats; and (10) regular evaluation and reporting to Congress on threats and mitigation. Within 60 days after developing the strategy, the task force must submit to Congress an implementation plan.

This section directs the President to confiscate funds of the Government of Iran and its agents or instrumentalities subject to U.S. jurisdiction—vesting all right, title, and interest in the United States—and deposit them in the Treasury general fund. The confiscated funds must support persons and entities in Iran working toward a democratic government based on human rights and rule of law, prioritizing those with transparent, measurable results via detailed annual reporting on expenditures and outcomes. In particular, funding may establish (1) a strikers fund for vetted Iranians engaged in nonviolent opposition to the regime that does not materially benefit it; (2) humanitarian assistance and medical supplies delivered through monitored partners upholding international humanitarian principles without materially benefiting the regime; (3) a fund to document, publicize, and seek accountability for Iran's gross human rights violations (e.g., extrajudicial killings, torture, trafficking in persons); and (4) the task force promoting internet freedom in Iran under section 3(a). The Comptroller General and Inspectors General of the Departments of State and Treasury and USAID must conduct and report annually to Congress on audits of these expenditures, terminating any that materially benefit the regime and implementing recommendations to prevent future diversion.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Treasury, to develop and submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, an unclassified strategy to ensure U.S. sanctions on the Iranian regime do not impede Iranian civilians' access to internet freedom tools (i.e., Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), secure messaging applications, satellite communication technology, cloud-based services, and censorship-circumvention technologies). The strategy must include (1) an examination of existing sanctions' impacts, including unintended restrictions and effects on technology companies and nongovernmental organizations; (2) issuance of specific licenses and waivers with guidelines, streamlined processes, and misuse-prevention measures targeting regime affiliates such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); (3) a plan to collaborate with technology companies, civil society, and international partners on expanding access, including stakeholder identification, company vetting, and public awareness campaigns; and (4) a monitoring mechanism with regular congressional reporting, recommendations, and evaluation of regime countermeasures. Not later than 60 days after the strategy's submission, the task force must submit an implementation plan to Congress.

This section directs the President to develop and submit to Congress, within 180 days of enactment, a strategy to provide maximum support to the Iranian people in their efforts to transition to a new political system based on the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. The strategy must include (1) diplomatic efforts by the Secretary of State to support Iranian protest movements for democratic governance and to establish a Special Representative for Maximum Support with an accompanying office to coordinate U.S. efforts and liaise with international partners; (2) economic pressure measures by the Secretary of the Treasury to implement sanctions on key Iranian economic sectors sustaining regime oppression, disrupt financial networks supporting terrorism and human rights abuses, and coordinate with international partners; (3) intelligence support by the Intelligence Community to monitor regime suppression of dissent, aid civil society and opposition groups' security and operations, and counter regime disinformation; (4) media efforts by the United States Agency for Global Media to expand unbiased news broadcasting to Iranians, use social media to highlight regime abuses, and support independent Iranian journalists; and (5) a plan for interagency coordination among the Departments of State and Treasury, the Intelligence Community, and USAGM. The strategy must be submitted in unclassified form, with a possible classified annex, and a task force must submit an implementation plan to Congress within 60 days after the strategy's development.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, to determine within 90 days after enactment whether the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization under 8 U.S.C. 1189 and, if so, to designate MOIS as such and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed justification, including an assessment of threats posed by MOIS. (Thus, such a designation would subject MOIS to asset blocking by U.S. financial institutions, prohibitions on material support under 18 U.S.C. 2339B, and immigration inadmissibility for its members.)

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and Director of National Intelligence, to develop and submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, an unclassified strategy (with a possible classified annex) to encourage and facilitate defections by Iranian officials and security forces who support democratic change in Iran. The strategy must include (1) secure communication mechanisms with potential defectors, (2) safety assurances for defectors and families, (3) a dedicated interagency working group to manage defections and related risks, (4) incentives such as financial, employment, and housing assistance, (5) measures to publicize successful defections when secure, and (6) coordination with international partners. Not later than 60 days after strategy submission, the working group must submit to Congress a detailed implementation plan.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to establish a cybersecurity support program to assist Iranian dissidents, journalists, and civil society organizations in countering cyber threats from the Iranian regime. The program shall include (1) secure communication tools, encryption technology, and cybersecurity software for high-risk users; (2) training for activists, dissidents, and journalists on identifying regime-sponsored cyberattacks, phishing, and digital surveillance; (3) rapid response technical support for cyber threats or attacks; and (4) regular evaluation and reporting to Congress on threats encountered and mitigation measures.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and Director of National Intelligence, to develop and submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, an unclassified strategy (with a possible classified annex) to encourage defections by Iranian officials and security forces who seek to support democratic change in Iran. The strategy must include (1) mechanisms for secure communication with potential defectors (e.g., encrypted digital channels and private intermediaries); (2) assurances of safety and security for defectors and their families; (3) a dedicated interagency working group to manage defections, ensure safety, verify information, and mitigate intelligence risks; (4) incentives for defectors providing significant contributions to democratic change or actionable intelligence (e.g., financial, employment, and housing assistance); (5) measures to publicize successful defections when consistent with security; and (6) coordination with international partners for best practices, joint facilitation, and protection. Not later than 60 days after strategy submission, the interagency working group must submit to Congress a detailed implementation plan.