Voice of America pushes Trump’s message inside Iran as regime clamps down on communications: reports

Voice of America’s (VOA) Persian-language service continued broadcasting inside Iran on Saturday despite sweeping communication restrictions imposed by the regime, a spokesperson confirmed to Fox News. VOA — the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) — appeared to air Persian-language coverage of the U.S-Israeli military campaign known as "[Operation Epic Fury](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/israel-targets-irans-supreme-leader-sweeping-strikes-us-joins-operation-epic-fury)," the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, remarks from President Donald Trump, and other major developments. In a post on X, USAGM said VOA was amplifying [President Donald Trump’s](https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/donald-trump) message about the operation across its global platforms, sharing images of his statement translated into multiple languages, including Korean and Kurdish. [**ISRAEL'S LARGEST EVER MILITARY FLYOVER HAMMERS IRANIAN MILITARY TARGETS**](https://www.foxnews.com/world/israels-largest-ever-military-flyover-hammers-iranian-military-targets) "Voice of America is carrying President Trump’s message about Operation Epic Fury across all language services," USAGM wrote. "The brave [people of Iran](https://www.foxnews.com/category/world/conflicts/iran) are hearing him — and so are citizens living under oppressive regimes around the world." Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA now [delivers news](https://www.foxnews.com/category/news-events) in 49 languages to a weekly global audience of more than 361 million people, according to the organization's website. VOA launched its Persian-language programming in 1979. The service "confronts the disinformation and censorship efforts of the Iranian regime and enhances U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people," its website states. [**OBAMA OFFICIAL WHO BACKED IRAN DEAL SPARKS ONLINE OUTRAGE WITH REACTION TO TRUMP'S STRIKE: 'SIT THIS ONE OUT'**](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-official-who-backed-iran-deal-sparks-online-outrage-with-reaction-to-trumps-strike-sit-this-one-out) All broadcast media in Iran is state-controlled and promotes official government policy and ideology. While private satellite dishes are illegal, foreign-based Persian-language satellite channels attract a large viewership, according to [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14542234). The broadcasts come as Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on journalism and digital communications.  Officials have imposed a near-total internet blackout — similar to restrictions enacted during protests last month — with national connectivity reportedly dropping to roughly 4%, [The Jerusalem Post](https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888261) reported. At least seven journalists have also been arrested since the latest wave of protests began in December, which were sparked by economic collapse and inflation reportedly soaring to 60%, according to [Reporters Without Borders](https://rsf.org/en/crackdown-iran-surge-arrests-journalists-covering-protests). [**TRUMP OVERSEES US STRIKES ON IRAN FROM MAR-A-LAGO, SPEAKS WITH NETANYAHU: WH**](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-oversees-us-strikes-iran-from-mar-a-lago-speaks-netanyahu-wh) Earlier this week, [the CIA](https://www.foxnews.com/category/tech/topics/cia) stepped into the information battle.  On Tuesday, the agency published a Persian-language video on its X account urging Iranian dissidents to make secure contact with the CIA amid renewed anti-government demonstrations. 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._