TEHRAN – In a letter published on Saturday, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has appointed new officials to the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC) and outlined the body’s major policies.

The main duty of this policy-making organization is to carry out grand management, make timely decisions when necessary, and oversee the cyberspace, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote, according to the Leader’s official website.

In his letter, Ayatollah Khamenei called previous parallel councils void and relegated those councils’ tasks to the new one.

The SCC was established following the Leader’s order on March 7, 2012. According to the order, the SCC is a body responsible for coordinating and implementing cyberspace policy in Iran.

The Leader urged the empowerment of the council so that it can make necessary decisions and conduct coordination among other governmental organizations regarding cyberspace.

He commissioned the council with turning Iran into a cyberspace power in the world.

He also called for the SCC to bring about technological improvement of cyberspace in Iran and to educate target individuals for occupying positions in related areas.

The speedy establishment of the national Iranian information network was also stressed by the Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei also urged ample security for cyberspace in the country, building the Iranian cyberspace in accordance to Islamic norms, and producing content that is in line with the Islamic culture.

Paying attention to science-based companies, helping objectify the resistance economy, and improving the country’s labor market were also stressed in by the Leader.

The SCC is invested with significant authority and its decisions are legally-binding.

The SCC has the power to unilaterally introduce policies relating to the Internet, and its actions cannot be obstructed by the Majlis.

The SCC is also able to compel the Commission to Determine the Instances of Criminal Content (CDICC) to pursue particular policies on Internet censorship.

SP/P