VOA continues broadcasting in Iran amid communication crackdown: reports

Voice of America’s (VOA) Persian-language service continued broadcasting in Iran on Saturday despite extensive communications restrictions imposed by the regime, a spokesperson confirmed to Fox News.

VOA, the US government-funded international broadcaster overseen by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), appeared to be broadcasting in Persian the US-Israeli military operation known as “Operation Epic Rage”, the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, statements by President Donald Trump and other important developments.

In a post on channel X, USAGM said VOA amplified President Donald Trump’s message about the operation on global platforms and shared footage of his statement translated into multiple languages, including Korean and Kurdish.

“Voice of America carries President Trump’s message about Operation Epic Rage across all language services,” USAGM wrote. “The brave people of Iran and citizens living under oppressive regimes around the world are hearing it.”

Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA now delivers news in 49 languages ​​to a global audience of more than 361 million people weekly, according to the organization’s website.

VOA launched its Persian-language programs in 1979. The website says the service “combats the Iranian regime’s disinformation and censorship efforts and strengthens U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people.”

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Iran’s religious leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli attack on Saturday. (Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via Getty Images)

All broadcast media in Iran are under state control and support official government policy and ideology. According to the report, although private satellite dishes are illegal, foreign Persian-language satellite channels reach a wide audience. BBC News.

The publications come as Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on journalism and digital communications.

Authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout, similar to restrictions imposed during last month’s protests, and national connectivity was reported to have dropped to roughly 4%. Jerusalem Post reported.

At least seven journalists have also been arrested since the latest wave of protests sparked by economic collapse and inflation rising to 60 percent began in December. Reporters Without Borders.

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Smoke rises after the explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, the CIA stepped into information warfare.

On Tuesday, the agency posted a video in Farsi on its X account urging Iranian dissidents to safely contact the CIA amid renewed anti-government demonstrations.

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The U.S. Agency for Global Media did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News’ Gillian Turner and Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussy and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

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