Dear Blizzard Entertainment Team,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is Ali, and I am writing to you as a long-time fan and dedicated player of your amazing titles. I would like to kindly raise a formal request regarding the access restrictions currently affecting users in Iran.
Background: A Nation of Players Disconnected
For years, countless gamers in Iran have enjoyed Blizzard’s world-class games — from World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Diablo, and Hearthstone. These games have served not only as entertainment, but also as cultural bridges and safe havens for community, connection, and creativity — especially in a country where freedoms are often limited.
Unfortunately, since late 2012 and intermittently thereafter, Iranian users have faced complete access blocks to Battle.net services. We understand that such actions are often implemented as a precaution due to U.S. sanctions — but we respectfully believe that the current interpretation may be overly cautious and not legally mandated.
Legal Clarification: What OFAC Actually Allows
According to U.S. Department of Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), under 31 CFR § 560.540, the export of certain online services and software to Iran is legally permitted. Specifically:
- Section 560.540 (a)(1): Allows the export of services “incident to the exchange of personal communications over the internet,” including:
- Messaging, email, social networking,
- Web browsing, blogging, video games, chat, and media sharing.
- Section 560.540 (a)(2–3): Permits the export of software (including cloud-based and gaming applications) classified under EAR99 or ECCN 5D992.c, provided they support free personal communication.
Source:
- U.S. Department of Treasury, OFAC FAQ #1087:
[This link has been removed due to posting restrictions in the forum and the legal documents are shared privately with those who request them.
] - Full text of §560.540:
[This link has been removed due to posting restrictions in the forum and the legal documents are shared privately with those who request them.
]
Therefore, as long as no financial transactions are involved, and the services fall under the above categories — which most Blizzard games clearly do — their access is not prohibited under current U.S. law.
Why This Matters
We understand Blizzard must take legal compliance seriously, but denying access to players simply due to IP origin, even where the law permits communication-based services, leads to the unintended punishment of innocent users who are already living under enormous local restrictions.
Many of us use VPNs with unknown security, putting our devices and data at risk — just to enjoy a game that should be legally accessible.
Our Humble Request
We respectfully ask Blizzard to review the legal basis of its current geoblocking policy against Iranian users, particularly in light of OFAC’s stated exceptions for personal communication and online gaming.
We believe this action would not only align with legal permissions, but also uphold the core values of Blizzard — inclusion, community, and bringing people together through epic experiences.
We would be happy to provide further documentation or collaborate with your legal team if needed.
Final Words
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. We remain hopeful that Blizzard will consider the possibility of restoring access to Battle.net for players in Iran — not as a political gesture, but as a recognition of our shared love for the worlds you’ve created.
With deep respect and appreciation,
Ali
An Iranian Gamer & Long-time Blizzard Fan