Oddbean

Some restrictions are weird. I had a Namecheap account for 5-6 years with a lot of domains on it. A few months ago, they sent me an email hey we cannot provide services to you anymore because we've detected that you are located in Iran! Well referring to OFAC providing VPN, VPS and such services are allowed. Even Biden encouraged providers to do so. So I assume this as an illegal act from Namecheap. Most of the sanction regulations are restricting people not government or regime. Clearly, It won't do anything to US or Israel if the artists receive a few dollars from donations.

VPN I understand as it helps Iranians receive US propaganda but VPS and domains? As for the legality of what NC is doing ... I guess there is zero leverage for you and they just cut ties with sanctioned individuals to avoid trouble. I think the argument is that any economic activity that brings funds into the country leads to the regime getting money to fund terrorists. Clearly if you pay taxes on those funds and also if you don't but buy tomatoes and the tomatoes guy pays taxes ... You know I want these sanctions to end but being scared by OFAC rules myself, I understand how US companies don't take them lightly. With these sanctions they can't stop aggression. Quite the opposite is true. "When goods don't cross borders, soldiers will." Good luck for you and your family ❤️.