A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on Donald Trump to allow the US government to help open up internet access in Iran, which the country’s Islamic regime has blocked in an effort to suppress an eruption of unrest.

With deaths soaring into thousands after days of protests across Iran, Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives have written to Trump asking him to authorize the state department to collaborate with the Open Technology Fund, a congressionally funded non-profit dedicated to supporting technologies designed to overcome censorship.

The move would effectively implement legislation – known as the “feasibility review of emerging equipment for digital open media” (Freedom) act – that was introduced in Congress last month to address Iran’s internet-censoring practices but which has not yet been passed.

“While Congress works to advance legislation like this through regular order, we are confident that the executive branch has the ability – and responsibility – to immediately begin interagency coordination, resume and leverage the Department of State’s collaboration with the Open Technology Fund, harness existing technologies like virtual private networks (VPNs), and fully assess emerging technologies such as direct-to-cell networks.