H.R. 7622 — Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings on the Iranian regime's repression of its people—including killing over 30,000 protesters, wounding thousands, arresting approximately 40,000, and restricting communications—and on the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests. It declares it to be U.S. policy to (1) recognize the Iranian people's right to determine their political regime through free and fair elections; (2) facilitate unrestricted internet access and civilian communications in Iran; (3) fully enforce sanctions against regime human rights violators and their family members or associates, including those in the United States; and (4) coordinate with allies to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

This section amends the internet freedom strategy for Iran required under section 5124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a)—which directs the Secretary of State to assess internet access challenges for Iranian civil society, including VPN use and censorship, and to develop countermeasures—by (1) correcting a cross-reference in subsection (a)(2), (2) adding new strategy elements assessing direct-to-cell wireless technologies, drone and jamming impacts, and Iranian telecom providers, and (3) requiring an initial congressional update within 120 days of enactment that incorporates the new elements, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and Department of the Treasury. The section further extends authorization of appropriations for the Iran Internet Freedom Grant Program to $30,000,000 annually for FY2027 through FY2030 (previously through FY2026). Additionally, the section directs the Defense Innovation Unit to support development of low-cost, scalable technologies (e.g., low-Earth orbit satellites, mesh networks, portable systems, and VPNs) to counter Iranian internet shutdowns, including through industry collaboration, pilot programs, and off-the-shelf procurement; requires collaboration with the Defense Acquisition University on acquisition best practices; mandates annual reports to the Secretary of Defense and congressional defense committees beginning 180 days after enactment; and authorizes $2,000,000 annually for FY2027 through FY2030 for these activities.

This section requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of State, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees—not later than 180 days after the date of enactment—a report identifying senior Iranian political figures and oligarchs (including their estimated net worth, corruption indices, income sources, and non-Iranian business affiliations), assessing Islamic Republic of Iran parastatal entities (i.e., those with at least 25% government ownership and $2 billion or more in 2024 revenues), evaluating U.S. economic sector exposure, and analyzing effects of debt/equity restrictions, Specially Designated Nationals listings, and additional sanctions. This section also amends 31 U.S.C. 310 to establish within the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)—a Treasury bureau that maintains a government-wide financial intelligence data access service and supports law enforcement investigations—the Iran Kleptocracy Initiative, headed by a Treasury-appointed Director. The Initiative must (1) identify and trace assets of Iranian government officials, family members, associates, and proxies; (2) coordinate with the Department of State and allies to freeze, forfeit, seize, and repurpose such assets; (3) publish unclassified findings on corruption and sanctions evasion; (4) coordinate with law enforcement for prosecutions and asset recoveries under specified U.S. laws; and (5) establish rewards protocols for credible information.

This section requires the President, not later than 120 days after receiving a written request from the chairman or ranking minority member of an appropriate congressional committee, to (1) determine whether a foreign person has knowingly provided material support for the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses, censorship, or repression of the Iranian people—including selling, supplying, or transferring censorship technology, surveillance tools, or internet shutdown capabilities, or any conduct sanctionable under the Iranian Human Rights Abuses Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 562)—and (2) submit to such member a written justification detailing whether the President has imposed or intends to impose sanctions pursuant to those regulations on such person. The appropriate congressional committees are the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Select Committee on Intelligence.

This section states the sense of Congress that U.S. policy should (1) promote and provide U.S. government and international broadcasting efforts to deliver truthful reporting to the people of Iran countering Islamic Republic of Iran regime censorship; (2) support independent Iranian journalists, media outlets, and citizen journalists, including through grants for equipment, training, secure communication platforms, relocation assistance for those at risk, and capacity-building for Persian-language media; (3) coordinate mechanisms with international partners, the private sector, and diaspora communities to amplify credible independent media; and (4) produce annual performance metrics and benchmarks for audience reach, content impact, and program outcomes.